ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The external debt and economic growth nexus: empirical evidence in Ghana.

Developing countries are characterized by low savings and investments. Capital inadequacy therefore becomes a major problem for developing countries. International financial institutions such as IMF and World Bank together with donor countries were carried over by the success story of the Marshal Plan which was used to reconstruct the devastated Europe after World War II. If it worked for Europe then why cannot it work for other continents or countries? External debt to developing countries therefore came to the fore and was considered an important means to fill the savings-investment gap in developing countries. While majority of the reviewed empirical studies reveal significant positive impact of External debt on economic growth, quite a sizeable number of the reviewed literature reveal otherwise, making the whole issue ambiguous and inconclusive. The only known study on the subject in Ghana is about 16 years old and given the current public outcry about the level of debt in the country currently there is the need to examine the impact of the debt level on economic growth. The opposition party (NPP) warned of possible “Debt overhang” and “Crowding out” effects while the ruling party (NDC) claimed that external debt would positively influence economic growth through increased capacity of the country to import industrial inputs necessary for increased production and export. This study therefore seeks to examine empirically the relationship between External debt and economic growth in Ghana using a time series data spanning 1970 to 2014. Using the ARDL model it was found among other things that external debt has a significant positive impact on the economic growth in Ghana while Total debt service has significant negative impact on the economic growth in Ghana, implying the existence of Debt overhang and Crowding-out effects. While judicious use of External debt can help overcome some of the economic challenges in Ghana, its accumulation and service can seriously retard economic growth and so policy makers should use External debt with great circumspection so that the nation can maximize its full benefits while at the same time reduce to the minimal its negative consequences on the economic growth in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
The financial management practices of University of education, Winneba, Kumasi campus.

This study aimed at examining the financial management practices at the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus. The study sought to evaluate both the sources and uses of funds, and financial management practices and challenges. The researcher used descriptive research method to obtain and analyze the required data. Financial management data were collected from the Deputy Finance Officer and other employees. The data collection tools used included questionnaires, interviews and observations. Both primary and secondary data were obtained in the financial management practices. The study further found that financial management practices such as audit and inspection, recordkeeping, corporate governance and financing the budgeted activities are well established and supports the control systems of the university. The findings however revealed the major challenges confronting the effective financial management of the institution include late disbursement of funds by the central government and lack of financial management skill by HODs to effectively manage the university’s finances. The study recommends among others that, there should be periodic financial in-service training for the HODs since training improves knowledge, skills and abilities. Future research is clearly needed to explore these issues as they represent an emerging trend that has important consequences for the financial management practices, in different ways, and extended to primary and secondary training institutions, and private educational institutions.

Source: KNUST
The financial effects of Akwapim rural bank msmes loans on its customers at medina, Accra

Financial support in a form of loans by rural banks to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises serve as a strategic tool for empowerment of vulnerable populations who are not able to access loans from the formal financial sector. The aim of the research is to find out the financial effects of Akwapim Rural Bank (ARB) Micro Small Medium Enterprises (msmes) loans on its customers at Medina, Accra. Specifically, the study sought: (i) to identify factors that influences msmes loan acquisition by customers at the Akuapem Rural Bank; (ii) to examine the types of msmes loan facilities provided by ARB; (iii) to examine the effects of these msmes loan on customers; (iv)and to find out the challenges associated with msmes loan repayment at the ARB. Cross-sectional research design was employed and both primary and secondary data collected through questionnaires, and interview was used where the respondent cannot read or write. The convenient sampling technique was used to select ten (10) staffs of ARB and forty (40) MSME customers of the bank. A Purposive sampling procedure was used in selecting the sample size of fifty (50). The results revealed that loans given to msmes customers have contributed to their progress in terms of increased stock level, increased production and sales, increased profit margin in the study area. Challenges such as mismanagement or diversion of msmes loans, unexpected tax liabilities which were imposed by the Ghana Revenue Authorities among others faced by customers were further revealed by the study. It is therefore recommended that the Akuapem Rural Bank should intensify education on the use of msmes loan facilities, so that customers will use the loans for the purpose of which it was acquired.

Source: KNUST
The impact of accounting information system on internal audit quality: mediating role of organizational culture

The primary purpose of this research was aimed to investigate the regulating function of organizational culture on the relationship between Accounting Information Systems and the Internal Audit Quality in Ghanaian manufacturing firms. A descriptive cross-section of the population was analyzed using inferential statistics for this research. Manufacturing firms in Accra where the Organizational Culture is of the investigation since the researcher wanted to include people who knew about accounting information systems, internal audit functions, and the culture of manufacturing firms. A purposive sampling technique was used to select finance officers, internal auditors, operations officers, and general managers of manufacturing companies in Accra. The research included 384 different factories in Accra. A structural equation model was utilized to test the hypotheses (SmartPLS 4). As a means of providing an overall glance at the information, descriptive statistics were used. From the findings, Internal Audit Quality was proven to be significantly affected when Accounting Information Systems was used. The end product also shows that an Organizational Culture considerably improves Internal Audit Quality and mediates the connection between Accounting Information Systems and the Internal Audit Quality. Increasing the usage of Accounting Information Systems and a culture of responsibility on the quality of internal audits in manufacturing organizations was shown to have a direct effect. Companies need to put a premium on cultivating a culture that encourages workers to take pride in their job, fosters a feeling of belonging inside the company, and places a premium on teamwork in service of shared objectives for which everyone feels responsible.

Source: KNUST
The impact of accounting information systems on organizational performance: the mediating role of information technology at ghana water company limited.

The primary purpose of this research work was to assess the impact of AIS on organizational performance; the mediating role of information technology at Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).. The main objectives of the study were to identify the role of AIS in organizational performance at GWCL, identify the impact of AIS on organizational performance at GWCL, determine whether informational technology helps AIS to ensure high organizational performance at GWCL and to identify challenges of AIS in achieving organizational performance. The research design for this study was a survey, quantitative and descriptive in nature. The study employed the use of questionnaires which were administered to the personnel of the case under study. The sample size for the study was hundred (100) staff. In this study, random sampling technique of the probability sampling techniques was used to select the sample. It was found that guaranteeing service quality to customers in the organization. The study revealed that awareness is not very comprehensive at GWCL. The study recommends a systematic form of training and development programme to support all staff in GWCL systems Again, the study recommends that all public institutions in Ghana be urged to adopt equally these practices in order to enhance performance

Source: KNUST
The impact of advertising likability on the choice of alcoholic beverages in ghana

Promoting as the heart of every marketing institution, contribute to a very key role in achieving the firms in this progressively commercialized communities. In this Modern economy, v effective communication can be essential when industries are aiming a market. Numerous models of advertising came about in the early 1960s. From the above, the basic belief around commercial which is paid for organizational advertising and demonstrations of designs, goods and services by a known benefactor. Well planned ad communicates to customers what they have to buy before they think of realizing that they need it. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of advertising likability on the choice of alcoholic beverages in Ghana. The following are the specific objectives: To identify the channel of advertising open to customers of alcoholic beverages, To identify the determinants of likability of adverts from perspective of customers of alcoholic beverages, To measure the impact of advertising likability on the choice of brands of alcoholic beverages by customers and To assess the effectiveness of other factors which influence the choice of brands of alcoholic beverages by customers’. A quantitative survey approach with the use of questionnaire was adopted as the main instrument for collecting data from sample size of 30 respondents. Data were analyzed using statistics package for social sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that The study further showed that there was Effect of Digital Marketing On Consumer Behavior. The respondents indicated that Artificial Intelligence Impacts Consumer Behavior. In all, there was an agreement that Digital Marketing Effect On Consumer Behavior (mean score of 6.48 and a standard deviation of 0. 683. The researcher recommends that businesses should invest more in building some great human qualities such as honesty, reliability, and resilience as most respondents believed brand persona is part of the things that constitutes branding

Source: KNUST
The impact of audit committee existence and external audit on earnings management. Evidence from Ghana

Financial reporting is of great concern to all stakeholders especially shareholders for informed decisions. For decisions to be effective, the financial reports provided must be credible and reliable. One thing that affects the credibility of financial report is earnings management. In order to ensure credible financial reporting, corporate governance tools such as audit committee as well as external auditors have been established. This study seeks to examine the combine effect of audit committee and external audit on earnings management. Ordinary least square regression models are used to examine the effect of audit committee existence, external auditor as well as the combine effect of the two monitoring mechanisms on earnings management using annual reports from 23 non-financial listed firms on the GSE from 2005 to 2014. This study reveals that audit committees and external auditor’s complements each other in mitigating agency conflicts. Conclusively, the findings suggest that where these two corporate governance tools (audit committee and external auditors) exist in a firm, they work together to restrict earnings Management. The study recommends that firms should incorporate both tools (audit committee and external auditors) in order to restrict earnings management.

Source: KNUST
The impact of board and audit committee on banks’ performance: the case of some universal banks in ghana

Following the extensive financial crises with its resultant collapse of some world leading businesses, the concept of corporate governance has received considerable attention in both industrial and academic circles. The role of board of directors and audit committee in the death and survival of corporate entities has become a key component of the corporate governance architecture. The study examines the composition of board of directors and audit committee and its effects on service delivery and firm performance in the Ghanaian banking industry. It also in addition explores how service delivery and firm performance differ with respect to ownership identities. Firm performance and service delivery was measured using Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Net Interest Margin (NIM). Spearman findings indicate some validity and support for the relevance of corporate governance to firm performance in the Ghanaian banking industry. Using the GMM, fixed and random effect econometric models, board size and the presence of independent non-executive directors were observed to have significant positive effects on firm performance. The BoG and managers of the individual banks are advised, in light of the study's findings, to make sure that members of the audit committee are objective and constructively represented on the boards of the banks. Given that this significantly affects the bank's profitability, the BoG and leadership of the different universal banks are urged to make sure that the Board includes members with experience in accounting and finance.

Source: KNUST
The Impact Of Board Structure On Performance. A Case Study Of Selected Rural Banks In Ashanti Region

This work studies the influence of board structure on performance of rural banks in Ghana. Five (5) rural banks in the Kumasi Metropolis were selected and their financial statements from 2010-2014 were used. The Ordinary least Square (OLS) method was applied to the data. It was found that the number of people on boards of rural banks negatively affects performance and non-executive directors on the board positively affect performance. The study recommends that an environment that encourages and brings out the positive contribution of female on boards of rural banks should be made.

Source: KNUST
The impact of capital structure on financial performance of insurance companies: empirical evidence from insurance companies in Ghana

The purpose of this study was to investigate the firm’s capital structure decision and its impact on the profitability. A panel-data covering 2014 to 2018 audited financial statements of Insurances Companies under National Insurance Commission was used in the study. A sample of 24 insurance companies was used due to availability of financial statements for the period selected. The study revealed that, there was statistically significant negative relationship between capital structure and firms’ profitability. It was also evidenced that Return on equity, growth and assets quality are the key determinants of capital structure. Achieving an optimal capital structure was very challenging for the companies due to the dynamic nature of the determinants. The study, therefore, recommends that, the corporate leaders should always monitor the business environment. This would help them to understand the dynamics of debt and equity instruments, thereby choosing the right capital structure. When a firm plans to increase its return on equity, it should reduce its debt source of finance

Source: KNUST
The impact of cashless banking on the economy of Ghana; the case of access bank Ghana limited

The advancement in technology coupled with the fact that literacy levels are increasing in the Ghanaian economy has increased the appreciation of the need for a cashless society where transactions are carried out electronically. The western would have established themselves well in the area of cashless transactions and this research was undertaken to assess how banks in Ghana work to assist the Ghanaian economy enhance herself in the area of cashless transactions by using Access Bank Ghana Limited as a case study. The objective of the research is to identify the impact of a cashless society on the performance of financial institutions. The research also investigated the benefits of such cashless society to the general populace and finally, identify the challenges faced by the stakeholders in the implementation of the cashless economy. The research used both primary and secondary. Primary data was collected using questionnaires that were administered to collect data from both staff and customers of access bank. The data was analysed using the SPSS program to present the results in tables, pie charts and bar charts. It was found from the research that the cash cashless transactions are made possible through the use of internet banking facilities, ATMs, mobile banking, card transactions and transaction alerts. It was found that the bank had an increase in output as a result of installing these cashless transaction mechanisms. It reduced the cost of labour since majority of the transactions could be performed electronically. In addition, customers could transact with convenience because they could transaction at any location and at any time. Thus, the respondents agreed to the fact that it has simplified their transactions. However, the major challenge was the literacy level of the Ghanaian economy, which, though is improving, is not enough to support such mechanism due to high illiteracy rate. It was recommended that banks should advertise and educate their customers in both the local and official languages while transactions are done in some selected local languages to expand the coverage and sign up the majority on the cashless transaction platform.

Source: KNUST
The impact of circular economy practices on firm performance in the pharmaceutical industry in Ghana

The current changes in climate coupled with the depletion of raw materials have increase interest in sustainability practices such as circular economy. The purpose of this study was to use empirical data to examine the impacts of circular economy practices on firm performance in the pharmaceutical industry. The purposive sampling approach was used to collect data from a cross-section of respondents. The partial least square structural equation modeling (pls sem) was used to explore the relationships among the variables. The results indicate a strong statistically significant positive between circular practices (recycling, repackaging, and remanufacturing) have a positive and significant relationship with firm performance. However, the study discovered that reuse was not significant. This is an original research that examined the impacts of circular economy practices on firm performance in the beverage industry. This research adds to the body of knowledge and motivates practitioners and direction for future studies.

Source: KNUST
The impact of branding on customer choice of financial institution “a survey within the Kumasi metropolis”.

The general objective of the study is to understand the impacts of corporate branding on customer choice in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. Questionnaires were the main instrument used for collecting data. Statistical Product for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in analyzing the data. It was found accordingly that 65.3% of the respondents affirmed they indeed consider the reputation of financial institutions before making a choice whereas 34.7% disagreed to the consideration of financial institutions; reputation in making a choice. It was further revealed that, the choice, selection and strategic decision making regarding organization and its aesthetic environmental conditions require enhances the reputation of the organization. The study concludes that the images of financial institutions are the most powerful branding tool. These positive and intriguing images are created and spiced-up through the employment of young and energetic workers characterized by lots of females which attracts customers and retain them through the delivery of services and responding to customer needs and complaints in a swift manner. Based on the findings it was recommended that, Brand awareness should be taken as a strategic tool because it has the propensity to move and attract customers. The culture of the organization must be reflected in the employees of the bank to project and communicate what the bank stands for. Branding must also be considered as a managerial tool. That is, the brand of the financial institution must be exhibited in all facets of the company dealings such as logos, wears, employees, customers they serve, broachers and among others. From the correlational and regression analysis it has been revealed that there is strong positive and insignificance (p-value 0.541 > 0.05, R= -0.44, R2 = 0.19) relationship between product quality and customer choice.

Source: KNUST
The impact of corporate brand on customer purchasing behaviour in selected supermarkets in Kumasi; the mediating effect of customer service.

Corporate brands unite organizations, harmonizes communication within an organization and interactions with customers and it also helps to create a unique and sustainable positive identity for an organization. Corporate brand can therefore be said to be a vital instrument in the supermarket industry since there is a high level of competition. In addition it is important because of the variety of goods and services being sold in this industry, as customers change their minds about purchasing from particular shops after considering certain factors like customer service. The study therefore sought to examine the mediating effect of customer service on the relationship between corporate brand and customer purchasing behavior. The geographical scope of the study was limited to three supermarkets in the Kumasi Metropolis; Opoku trading, A Life and Ababio express. About 286 customers of these shops were interviewed to study how they assessed the three variables of the study. Linear regressions were used to establish the relationship among the variables of the study. The findings of the study suggested that there is a substantial and positive effect between corporate brand and customer purchasing behaviour. Also there is a direct and significant relationship between customer service and customer purchasing behaviour. Customer service also directly influences corporate brand in supermarkets. The findings which demonstrated a partial mediation suggested that customer service can be improved by focusing on corporate brand and the vice versa and customer purchasing behaviour can be positively influenced by improving customer service. The study therefore recommended that customer service strategies should be revised to focus more on customer expectation and also more activities geared towards building a strong brand should be put in place whilst improving on customer services.

Source: KNUST