ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An assessment of the nexus between youth livelihoods and urban poverty in slum communities: the case of Aboabo and Ayigya Zongo in Kumasi.

ABSTRACT Currently, slum dwellers make up about 43 percent of Ghana’s urban population with a huge proportion being youth. With youth migrating to cities to live and work, the face of urbanisation is now a young one. Although existing literature on slum and their impacts on youth have largely focused on the negative effects of the dire economic conditions and inadequate basic services, there are recent empirical evidences in Ghana of positive social, economic and improved wellbeing of youth who find themselves in slums. This multi directional and mixed outcome of urban poverty on youth livelihoods provides a gap for investigation. Drawing on structured and semi-structured questionnaires completed by 388 slum youth in Aboabo and Ayigya Zongo communities located Kumasi (Ghana’s second largest urban city), the study examines whether or not there is a relationship between urban poverty and youth livelihoods in slum communities. The study reveals that, the livelihoods of youth as well as multidimensional poverty characteristics prevalent in these communities could be understood in the light of the Sustainable Livelihood Framework and the subculture of poverty theory (that poverty is transmitted generationally). This is important because of the extensive studies and debate over the extent to which slum youth livelihoods are influenced by the perpetuation of poverty in the slum environment. The study realised that 42.6 percent of respondents employed in the private informal sector were mainly business activities inherited from their parents whiles the highest education level of parents were positively correlated to the educational levels of youth and also influenced how much youth earned monthly. The findings of this study advance existing knowledge by not only linking non-monetary poverty to slum growth in Ghana but by also demonstrates that multiple forms of poverty takes place concurrently in the slum environment. In view of the findings, some recommendations were made. Firstly, the acknowledgement of the slum residents with a ‘right to the city’ is crucial to their participation in the urban economy. Secondly, adjustment in business registration procedures is vital to formalize the informal enterprises of youth in slums. Thirdly, the sustained pursuit of participatory slum upgrading programmes with inputs from all city governance stakeholders and finally collaboration of the Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies with other relevant institutions to provide basic services such as refuse bins, regular power supply and access routes/roads to slum dwellers.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the implementation of the contributory Three-tier pension scheme at Juaben Rural Bank Ltd.

ABSTRACT Planning for one‟s future is paramount in the life of every employee since no worker can actively work throughout his/her life time. It is for this reason that efforts have always been made by policy makers to put in place adequate provisions to cater for the basic needs of employees when they finally retire. This study therefore analysed the implementation of the three-tier contributory pension scheme at Juaben Rural Bank Ltd (JRB). The objectives of this study included examining employee‟s level of knowledge of this new pension scheme, its benefits and challenges. The target population was made up of the one hundred and ninety four members of staff of JRB. The census sampling technique was adopted to select the sample size of 194. Questionnaires were administered to solicit for responses from employees of JRB. The responses were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences which generated the frequency distributions and the various rankings of the responses and cross tabulations. The study found out that most employees had little knowledge of the new pension scheme and this was attributed to the lack of involvement of employees in decision making regarding the new pension scheme. The study further revealed that the new three-tier pension scheme is beneficial and respondents agreed that it was an improvement over the previous pension schemes with the introduction of the two other pillars managed by private institutions. The main challenge facing employees regarding the implementation was the inadequate education and it is therefore recommended that, the Management of JRB should liaise with authorities of the appointed trustees and National Pension Regulatory Authority to organise series of seminars aimed at educating employees on the various components of this new scheme to enable employees appreciate the benefits. It is also recommended that a functional board of trustees should be established to liaise with fund managers and other service providers to help monitor employees‟ funds.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the role of motivation on employee satisfaction and retention – a case study of Jospong Group Of Companies.

This study was set to investigate thoroughly factors that motivate employees in private institutions, how motivation is carried out, the reactions towards motivation and how it affects employee satisfaction and retention. The study focused on various key business units (KBUs) of Jospong Group of Companies. Questionnaires were administered to 150 respondents of the KBUs of Jospong Group of Companies, of which 123 were received, representing 82% response rate. The sampling techniques used were purposive and convenience sampling. Analysis was made on only valid responses from the field study. The findings revealed that Jospong Group of Companies motivate their employees through the working relationship with supervisors. Also, they ensure employee personal development. However, it is only when the employees themselves show interest in making an effort, then the management support them. Also, the respondents indicated that employees of Jospong Group of Companies recognize the role of incentive in motivating them. Also, it was found out that the motivation at Jospong Group of Companies was good. From the regression result, it could be seen that motivational factors predict employee satisfaction as the R-square value of 0.545 was good. But considering the three variables individually, it could be seen that working with supervisors (β=0.264; t=2.994) and employee personal development have a positive relationship with employee performance (β=0.264; t=2.994) and it is significant at 0.01 or 0.05. However, incentive was found to have a negative relationship (β=-0.108; t=-1.223) with employee performance and it not was significant at 0.05. It is recommended that there should be a need for lay down policies for private sector workers‟ motivation and also Management of Private companies should set a committee to monitor and evaluate systems putting in place for motivational incentives whether they are functioning as planned without any deficits.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the role of national health insurance scheme (nhis) in health financing; the case of komfo anokye teaching hospital (kath)

The main aim of this study was to assess the role of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in healthcare financing using KATH as the case study. This work wanted to explore the constituents of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funding, the main sources of financing KATH, payment processes involved in NHIS and the challenges faced in the NHIS implementation. To do this, a descriptive research design in a quantitative and qualitative approach as well as case study designs was adopted where purposive sampling techniques was use in selecting forty (40) respondents to represent the sample size. A structured questionnaire containing closed ended and open ended questions in a likert scale model was employed to elicit information. It was establish that the sources of money to the NHIS includes National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), SSNIT pension fund contribution, Fund from investments made by the Authority and Fees charged by the Authority in the performance of its functions ( Premium), Grants, donation, etc. and monies allocated to the Fund by Parliament. It was also found that within the period (2008-2014) NHIL was the most important and highest contributor to the revenue of NHIA Followed by SSNIT pension fund contribution and investment income. The study similarly found that only IGF was confirmed to be the available source of funds for KATH, however DPF and GOG are inadequate and irregular. NHIS has generally decreased in total IGF contributions although, most patient who visit the hospital are seen under insurance. The decrease in NHIS contribution to IGF can be attributed to lower tariffs and investigative services, procedures and some medications that were formally seen under insurance are now cash and carry in KATH. Recommendation were made to the Management of KATH to make a critical analysis of its service cost in all areas, in relation to its charges and fees to ensure that its fees are adequate for sustainable operations of the hospital. Again KATH should provide continuous in – service training for staffs, strengthen the internal vetting process.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program in the Kassena Nankana East Municipality Of Ghana.

This study assessed the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) Program in the Kassena Nankana East Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Objectives of the study was; to examine whether beneficiaries utilise the grant in small scale businesses, find out how LEAP has enhanced the economic situation of beneficiary households and to determine the level of compliance with conditionality’s of the program. The study drew a sample from the population of LEAP beneficiaries in the municipality for the purpose of administering questionnaire to reach the study objectives, the statistical software SPSS was used to analyse responses of the beneficiaries. The study found that only 6.4% of beneficiary households were able to engage in some form of income generating activity with the grant. Compared to non-beneficiaries, LEAP had lifted 75.9% of beneficial households from extreme poverty to their current situation above the national poverty line. Beneficiary households were largely complaint with LEAP conditionalities.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the savings habit of workers in the informal sector of Ghana evidence from the Bantama- sub metro of the Kumasi Metropolis.

Savings has been described as one of the economic tools needed to achieve sustained development. However, many researchers believe that most developing countries of which Ghana is no exception do not cultivate the habit of savings. This study therefor sought to assess the savings habit of workers in the informal sector using the Bantama sub-metro of the Kumasi metropolis as evidence with much emphasis on the factors that influence the savings habits. Structured interview questionnaires were used to collect the data from 150 workers in the informal sector at Bantama sub-metro. The workers were stratified and the respondents were randomly selected. The analysis of the data showed that the factors that motivate the savings habit of the workers were, to have opportunity to swap savings with loan capital for investment; desire to save towards retirement; need for reserve funds to meet emergencies and as precautionary measure; and to leave legacy to future generations. On the forms of savings, although the study revealed four types of savings, two forms of savings were noted, namely formal and informal savings. Among other factors, the income level of the workers and the processes involved in procuring loan capital were identified as major challenges facing the workers with regards to savings. Based on the findings, it waconcluded that the informal workers in the study area do have a savings habit. Following the findings, the recommendations given were the need for the state to put in place deliberate policies towards the informal sector in order to regulate the activities of the sector, the need for the ministry for employment and labour relations to facilitate the unionization of the workers in the sector to have a collective bargaining power to press home their demands, the financial institutions to device pragmatic means to encourage the workers to embark on formal savings which ultimately will enhance the savings habit of the workers.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the sustainability of the youth- in- cocoa farming programme in the Adansi South District.

Cocoa accounts for about 30 percent of all revenue from export and is responsible for about 57 percent of overall agricultural export. The sector employs over two million people, directly and indirectly and constitutes close to 9 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (ISSER 2009). In spite of its contribution, the sector is confronted with a number of problems; most serious among these problems is the ageing crop of cocoa growers. To address this concern, the Youth-in-Cocoa Farming Programme was launched, to attract the youth into the cocoa growing venture to replenish the dwindling stock of cocoa farmers. However, the sustainability of the programme has never been assessed. Using a case study approach, this study sought to examine how sustainable the Youthin-Cocoa- Farming Programme is. The study found that majority of the trained youth either do not know or are simply not sure what sustainability is about. Further, about half of respondents have not integrated any sustainable practices into cocoa growing. Even though majority of the youth recruited onto the programme agree that cocoa farming is a lucrative occupation, only a third still consider cocoa farming as not lucrative business. The youth not attracted to cocoa farming gave the not being lucrative nature, unsafe, too long gestation period, the absence of role models and non prestigious nature of cocoa farming as reasons why they do not want to venture into the business. The study recommends a Marshall Plan to change how cocoa is cultivated through heavy investment in more modern ways of growing cocoa, a massive education on the benefits of cocoa farming and sustainable agro-farming. The study further advised that more emphasis be placed on sustainable cocoa growing methods in the training of youth for the programme and a formal accreditation of sustainable cocoa production skills and training should be considered. The study further recommends that COCOBOD, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should also work in collaboration with the government of Ghana to formulate policies to address important issues which pose environmental threats to sustainable cocoa growing by strengthening bodies and agencies that work in the sectors.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of the sustainability of microfinance Institutions in Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana.

There has been a massive infiltration of Microfinance Institutions in the last two decades in Ghana. However, the concept of microfinance is not new in the Ghanaian traditional setting. This study is designed to assess the sustainability of microfinance institutions in Ghana with evidence from selected Microfinance Institutions in the Brong Ahafo Region using the CAMEL model. The assumption of this study is that Microfinance Institutions in Ghana are not sustainable due to certain conditions that come from financial, operational and strategic. Besides, Microfinance Institutions usually fail to meet the regulatory requirements set out by the Bank of Ghana notably the minimum capital requirement, credit risk and liquidity risk. The study employed both primary and secondary data sources. The study revealed Liquidity Risk as one of the major risks that affect the operations of microfinance institutions. Credit risk is also inherent in microfinance institutions as the evidence shows that as much as 87.75% of all the deposits collected were given out as loans. That notwithstanding, microfinance institutions have been efficient in managing non-performing loans and keeping adequate capital. Microfinance institutions also adopt appropriate marketing approaches to increase their customer base and deposit mobilizations. In essence, the question of whether microfinance institutions are sustainable or not lies on ratios specific as the study demonstrate strength in some ratios and weaknesses in others just like any other financial institution. The study therefore recommends that Microfinances institutions should establish and implement effective liquidity and contingency management policies to ensure that they are liquid at all times. Secondly, the Bank of Ghana should adopt ratio based evaluation of microfinance institutions to assess their sustainability. Finally, researchers need to pay attention to the controls and accountability mechanisms of microfinance institutions in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
An automated solar biomass hybrid dryer in rural communities in Ghana

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate the drying process of a Solar-Biomass Hybrid Dryer (SBHD). CFD simulations were set up with the software StarCCM+ for investigating the temperature distribution inside a 5-tonne prototype in a rural community in Ghana. The predicted temperature distributions were compared to the experimental data of temperature distribution in the dryer. The simulated results of Levels 1 and 2 within the dryer were 5–15 K higher than the experimental data. This was due to the introduction of cold air at the bottom of the dryer and also, the absence of the effect of the fans in the dryer during the simulation process. The simulated results fit nearly perfect for Layers 3 and 4 in the dryer with a deviation of not more than 5 K. All in all, the predicted simulation agrees with the experimental data. In order to improve drying conditions in the SBHD, it is suggested that the integration of an automated system which will aid in the controlled introduction of hot air at high air flow at the lower levels of the shelves in the dryer would be required.

Source: KNUST
An empirical analysis of auditors independence and audit quality in Ghana.

Audit reports serve as an important source of information for various stakeholders in the world of business. Thus, a reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement is imperative for policy and decision making. The need to ensure reliable and high quality audit work has focused on Auditors independence since familiarity can impair their independence. The collapse of Banks and corporations in Ghana has drawn the attention of Public and Regulatory agencies to issues about Audit quality. The study examines the effect of auditor independence on audit quality of listed firms in Ghana. Annual reports of the listed firms from 2010 to 2014 are used in the analysis. The ordinary least square estimation technique is used in analyzing the relationship between Auditors independence and audit quality. The study finds auditor independence has significant implications on audit quality as higher audit fees mandates that the auditing agency provide quality work. Firms that engage highly reputable audit firms are more likely to have higher audit quality. This notwithstanding, long tenure of auditors is seen to impair auditor independence and audit quality through familiarity. The study therefore recommends that the provisions on auditor tenure are strictly adhered to given that tenure affects audit quality. Further, the study recommends that, Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana through its quality assurance monitoring mechanism strictly ensures adherence to the provision of International Standards on Auditing regarding Auditors independence as well as the International federation of Accountants code of ethics.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of venture capital funding in Ghana.

The study focuses on assessing Venture Capital funding in Ghana. 50 entrepreneurs of the entrepreneurs are aware of Venture Capital funding. The challenges involved in assessing Venture Capital funding on the part of entrepreneurs are difficult application requirements, high interest rates and delays in processing. Venture Capital firms on the other hand face challenges such as incomplete/non existence of records, poor credit history among others. The study recommends among other things that Venture Capital firms do more of public education to deepen the awareness of Venture Capital funding in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
An empirical analysis of the impact of corporate governance on the profitability of pubic listed companies in ghana: a panel data approach

The financial and non-financial sector in the Ghanaian economy has been recently exposed to lots of crises mainly due to corporate fraud and scandals. The negative effects of these crises on the stakeholders of plcs have, therefore, necessitated the review of corporate governance codes in the country. The study employs the dynamic panel data model to examine the effect of corporate governance on the profitability of plcs. To achieve this objective, the study obtains data on 25 plcs from 2017 to 2021. This study aims at examining the effect of corporate governance on the profitability of plcs in Ghana. To achieve objective, the study with four objectives by investigating the effect of each of the four corporate governance variables on the profitability of plcs. The study employs corporate governance variables such as CEO duality, independent audit committee, board size and independent directors and the performance variables include the Return On-Equity, Return-On-Asset and Tobin’s Q. The findings of the study indicate that only CEO duality has a significant effect (0.024176) on the ROA of plcs in Ghana. In appendage, only CEO duality (0.043246) and independent auditor (-1.180545) have a significant effect on the ROE of plcs. Moreover, only CEO duality (0.0032) has a significant effect on the TQ of plcs. Plcs should look at practicing the one-tier system as that improves the profitability of the firms. In appendage, plcs should ensure that the acquisition of independent audit committees would not financially drain the companies. Hence, the firms need to be prudent in the acquisition of independent auditors.

Source: KNUST
An economic assessment of energy consumption on household welfare in Ghana.

The study assesses the complexities that exist between energy consumption by households and their welfare levels using data from four waves of the Ghana living standard surveys – with datasets spanning over 35,000 households across rural and urban areas. Energy consumption was measured using the multi-tier matrix framework approach. Repeated cross-section techniques employing multiple regression models were used in assessing the impact of the different determinant factors on welfare. The study finds that fuel choice, income, poverty status are key drivers of improving a household’s welfare level. Welfare was an increasing function of higher levels of access as well as income, poverty and other socio-economic determinants identified the study. Energy consumption rose with income, with changes in income exhibiting unitary elasticity on welfare levels. There is strong evidence that female-led households exhibit a significantly higher welfare than male-headed households. Also, the influence of location on energy use was also assessed with results showing that as households move away from the use of biomass, locational effects of energy on welfare becomes identical for both urban and rural localities. The existing welfare gap between households using electricity and those using biomass has widened over time. This is as a result of the cumulative productivity effects of electrification to households over time. The general policy recommendation for the study aims at promoting a transitional shift from traditional energy forms to more efficient and modern energy forms.

Source: KNUST