ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of the National Board for Small Scale Industries Microcredit Schemes in the Greater Accra Region Akwasi Afriyie

The inability and challenge faced by the micro and small scale enterprises (MSEs) to obtain institutional credit to support their operations prompted the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) to institute microcredit schemes to supply credits to support the MSEs in Ghana. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the NBSSI microcredit programme. An explorative case study approach was employed using secondary data, being reports produced on the schemes operations from the period of 2005 to 2012. The data were grouped and analyzed under selected ratios used by the microfinance industry, with the assistance of a data analysis tool, Microsoft Excel 2010, and the results represented in the form of graphs and tables. It was established from the study that, the schemes suffers from, inadequate loanable funds; have high default rate; highly exposed to credit risk; generates low income (interests and service) from its operation; deepens greatly on subsidies to support its operations; and lacks basic efficient operating policies and management practices. To improve upon the performance of the scheme, it was recommended that, the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) establishing the NBSSI be amended to empower the Board to source commercial loanable funds to boost it portfolios; must shift from individual lending to group base lending; price it loans commercially; involve its district officers (BACs) in the loan monitoring; avoid solely depending on external subsidies to support its operations; and must adopt efficient operating policies and practices to reduce portfolio risks and safeguard the schemes.

Source: UCC
Performance Indictors disclosure in Sustainability Reports – Lessons from Ghanaian large Mining Companies

This study examines the extent of Global Reporting Initiative performance indicators disclosed in Sustainability Reports of mining companies in Ghana to see the content and trend development. Case study approach to 20 reports (in 2008 and 2012) of 10 large scale mining companies in Ghana was used and analysed using content analysis methods. The findings suggest there has been a wider and increasing trend in the disclosure of performance indicators in sustainability report in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines. The findings suggest that mining companies in Ghana have made good progress in voluntary adoption of the GRI guidelines to increase transparency, credibility and comparability in sustainability reporting.

Source: UCC
Performance management in Ghana health service: A case of the Volta regional hospital

The study set out to examine the performance management process in theVolta Regional Hospital at Ho.Eight management staff and one hundred and twenty employees were randomly sampled to collect views on the performance management system in the hospital. Personal interviews and questionnaire were used to collect data.The findings of the study suggest that there is a performance management programme in place in the hospital. Managers and employees see the performance management process to be useful to the efficiency of the hospital. There are however some challenges facing the performance management programme.Respondents reported lack of feed back as a major problem. The hospital must take steps to provide timely feedback to employees since feedback play a majorpart in improving performance.

Source: UCC
Performance management in libraries: evidence from University of Cape Coast library, Ghana

The study aimed at investigating how performance is managed in University of Cape Coast Library through the holistic combination of human resource practices such as motivation, feedback and work design. The descriptive survey design was used in collecting and analyzing data. Questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used to solicit information from respondents. The total population was two hundred and two (202) which included eight (8) management members, and 194 senior and junior staff. The census sampling technique was used for the study. Six out of the eight management members were interviewed. Also, 184 out of 194 copies of the questionnaires were retrieved and used for the analyses. Findings of the study indicate that elements of performance management were not effectively managed. It was also revealed that some factors that hindered performance in the library include unclear job description, limited staff competencies, poor organizational leadership style and inadequate reward system. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the Library engages a human resource expert to train management on how effective and holistic combination of human resource practices can be done. Also, Library Management needs to adopt an applicable model such as the Brinkerhoff’s Performance Model which effectively integrates all the factors that lead to improved performance.

Source: UCC
Performance management system and employee performance at La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly

Human resource makes tremendous contributions toward the success of every organisation. As such, managing human resource performance is currently one of the key activities undertaken by heads or authorities of these institutions. This can largely be achieved through the implementation of performance management system which ensures constant evaluation and improvement in employee performance. The study examined the effect of performance management system on employee performance at La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly, Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study employed the quantitative approach and descriptive research design due to its research objectives. The simple random technique was employed to solicit for information from 135 administrative staff of the assembly. Structured questionnaires were administered to the staff and the data obtained was processed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24. The data was then analysed using both descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations) and inferential (linear regression) statistical tools. The study found the graphic rating system and peer review as the most suitable performance management systems for their assembly. The study also found the performance management system to have a moderate positive effect on employee performance at the assembly understudy. The study therefore recommended that management of La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly should regularly review its performance management system in a bid to improve the performance levels of its administrative staff.

Source: UCC
Performance of Maternal and Child Health Data in Routine Health Information System Among Healthcare Facilities in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

This study assessed the performance of Routine Health Information System (RHIS) as well as identified the technical, organisational, and behavioural factors affecting maternal and child health (MCH) data quality (DQ) and information use (IU) in the Cape Coast Metropolis (CCM). Descriptive quantitative cross-sectional case study design was used. The survey involved thirteen purposively sample healthcare facilities (HCFs), and 278 healthcare professionals (HCPs). Eight MCH indicators were assessed for data accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and consistency. Data was collected using two pre existing instruments. Pearson correlation coefficient, percentages, and verification factors (VFs) were estimated. The VFs for data accuracy between registers and forms, registers and District Health Information System (DHIS2) database, and forms and DHIS2 were, 102.1%, 102.4%, and 100.1% respectively. Data were 95.4% complete in DHIS2, 87.2% submitted on time, and 93% consistent over time. RHIS processes were 63.7% functional, and 27.9% of the management functions were met. Indices measuring technical and behavioural factors were weak. Self-efficacy was moderately positively associated with: perceived promotion of culture of information (COI), ( ) ; activities for COI, ( ) ; and supportive management, ( ) . The level of MCH DQ were within the threshold recommended by WHO, but the level of IU was weak. MCH processes, and organisational factors fared averagely. Managers of HCFs should strengthen MCH performance by building the capacities of HCPs involved in MCH activities.

Source: UCC
Performance Of Maternal And Child Health Data In Routine Health Information System Among Healthcare Facilities In Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

This study assessed the performance of Routine Health Information System (RT-IIS) as well as identified the technical , organisational, and behavioural factors affecting maternal and child health (MCH) data quality (DQ) and information use (IU) in the Cape Coast Metropolis (CCM). Descriptive quantitati ve cross-sectional case study design was used. The survey involved thirteen purposively sample health care facilities (HCFs), and 278 healthcare professionals (l-JCPs). Eight MCH indicators were assessed for data accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and consistency. Data was collected using two preex isting instruments. Pea rson correlation coefficient, percentages, and verification factors (V Fs) were estimated. The VFs for data accuracy between registers and forms. registers and District Health Information System (DHlS2) database. and forms and DHIS2 were, 102.1%, 102.4%, and 100.1% respectively. Data were 95.4% complete in DHIS2, 87.2% submitted on time, and 93% consistent over time. RBIS processes were 63.7% functional, and 27.9% of the management fu nctions ·were met. Indices measuring technical and behavioural factors were weak. Self-efficacy was moderately positively associated ,vith: perceived promotion of culture of information (COl), r(265) = .36,p < .0001 ; activities for COT, 1'(265) = .33,p < .0001 ; and supporti ve management, 1'(265) = .29, p < .0 001. The level of MCH DQ were within the threshold recommended by WHO, but the level of IU was weak. MCB processes, and organisational factors fared averagely. Managers of HCFs should strengthen MCH performance by building the capacities of )-)CPs involved in MCH activities.

Source: UCC
Performance of non-governmental organisations in agricultural extension service delivery in the Upper West region of Ghana

The general objective of this study was to examine the performance of NGOs in extension service delivery in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study therefore assessed the performance of 5 NGOs in 5 districts in agricultural extension delivery in the Upper West Region of Ghana. A descriptive survey design was used to collect data from 200 farmers and 30staff of NGOs. Descriptive statistics and t-test analysis were used to summarise and compare the perception of farmers and staff on the performance of agricultural NGOs. The study revealed that NGOs tend to focus on young, female, and small scale farmers. Most of the staff of NGOs were males and low in academic qualification. Significantly, farmers and staff of NGOs differed in opinion on the level of NGOs effectiveness and efficiency in delivery of extension although both perceived NGOs to provide effective and moderately efficient extension service. Moreover, the study identified poor access to land, short term NGOs support, inadequate trained and qualified extension field staff and poor partnership as constraints affecting NGOs performance. The study recommends that NGOs should facilitate the acquisition of land for women and young farmers. Furthermore, regular in-service training should be provided to improve the technical knowledge and skills of staff of NGOs.

Source: UCC
Performance of temporary employees of the capital group, Ghana

Performance of temporary employees is vital to the success of every organisation. The main aim of this study was to assess the performance of temporary employees of The Capital Group. The study adopted quantitative research approach, employing the descriptive design method. The study employed a 43-item questionnaire instrument, solicited, and analyzed responses from 260 temporary employees of The Capital Group. The sampling procedure used to gather data was convenience sampling. Findings of the study indicated that organisational factors of The Capital Group do not influence their performance positively. However, due to their fixed-term appointment, respondent disagreed that they are being trained on the job. In addition, respondent agreed that temporary employment gives them a form of experience, makes them employable and act as a stepping-stone into the job market and permanent role. However, they disagreed that temporary employment involves less office politics and less responsibilities. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to management of The Capital Group to structure their organisation in a way that will benefit both parties to achieve maximum results. Management should revise their pay and benefit structure to suit temporary employees, restructure the organisations culture to motivate them and invest in their wellbeing through training and development. Hence, they should be treated fairly like their permanent counterparts in order for them to give out their maximum output

Source: UCC
Performance of the national health insurance scheme in the Ho municipality

This study focused on assessing the performance of the Ho Mutual Health Insurance Scheme and considered factors including; availability of administrative structures and logistical support, quality of care, attitude of hospital staff towards insured persons, claim processing, etc. There have been some concerns over the quality of treatment under the health reform compared to cash and carry system hitherto, practiced. For instance, questions have been raised about the attitude of hospital staff towards insured persons as well as the quality of treatment expected. The study used a sample size of 380 respondents, obtained through appropriate statistical instruments. About 96% of the respondents were accessed though quota sampling from the three health felicities and the general public and only 4% of employees of the mutual health insurance scheme were interviewed. A triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methodologies and analysis of results were employed to explore perceptions of research participants on the performance of the scheme. The perception of the insured persons accessed was that, the health reform was a good intervention but was not functioning too well, for instance, the quality of care was satisfactory and claim processing was manually done delaying government reimbursement to the healthcare providers. It suggested, for example, that revenue sources should be diversified to sustain the scheme and also, claim processing by the scheme computerised for high level performance.

Source: UCC
Performance of the Sekyere Kumawu District Assembly from the communities’ perspective

The Government of Ghana in 2008 introduced a Performance Based Grant System (PBG) called the District Development Facility (DDF) as part of its efforts to improve the performance of District Assemblies. The research sought to assess the Assemblies overall performance, the most performed and the least performed sectors of the Assemblies, the sectors that the respondents think the Assemblies should direct their investment to and the factors that hinder community involvement in the assessment of the Assemblies, using the Sekyere Kumawu District Assembly as a reference point. The research employed the random and convenient sampling techniques to collect data from 396 respondents on their opinion of the performance of the Assembly. The research found that the general performance of the Assembly was average with 67.4 percent. The Assembly’s most performed sector was agriculture recording 59.3 percent, with the communication sector being the least with 29 percent. The results revealed that the community thinks the Assembly should focus its attention on water, education and health sectors even though the Assembly performed well in those sectors. The community also proposed regular community meetings and sensitization of the community on the assessment process of the Assembly as measures to ensure their involvement in the assessment process. In conclusion, it is evident from the findings that the community disagrees with the Assembly’s performance under the FOAT Assessment. While the FOAT scored the Assembly as high as over 96 percent, the Community gave the Assembly only a little above average (67.4%). Recommendations have therefore been made to the District Assembly and responsible institutions to involve the communities in subsequent assessment of the Assemblies.

Source: UCC
Performance of vegetable production and marketing in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana

Vegetable production and marketing play an important role in providing income and employment for a significant proportion of small holder farmers and traders in Ghana. Yet, farmers are dissatisfied, claiming that they earn less marketing margins than is due them as compared to traders in the value chain. Due to lack of a holistic assessment of actors’ performance, this assertion remains unjustifiable. It is against this backdrop that this study investigates the performance of farmers, wholesalers and retailers along the investment channels of three major leafy vegetables (spring onions, lettuce and cabbage) in peri-urban Kumasi. Using a two-stage sampling technique, a total of 217 actors comprising 147 farmers, 30 wholesalers and 40 retailers, were sampled. Marketing margin analysis and returns on investments (ROIs) were used to assess the performance of actors’ investments. Results show that vegetable production is dominated by males (91 percent) and trading by females (83 percent of wholesalers and 100 percent of retailers) respectively. Wholesalers recorded the highest yearly marketing margins for spring onions and cabbage (GH¢ 3 369 and GH¢ 17 376) (1US$ = GH¢ 3.6), while farmers obtained the highest yearly margins (GH¢ 3 630) for lettuce. Farmers obtained the most ROIs of 28, 145 and 79 percents for spring onions, lettuce and cabbage respectively. Based on accrued ROIs, the study concludes that farmers are more efficient in the investments in these vegetables than traders. Information flow gap was found to be a major cause of farmers’ scepticism on margin distribution because 76 percent of farmers had no information on market prices of products. It is recommended that an efficient policy on market price information system for vegetables be implemented via convenient means such as farmer associations and weekly radio broadcasts of product prices to all actors

Source: UCC
Performing arts education in ghana: a case study of Public primary schools in the sunyani municipality

The importance of providing learning experiences that enable the African child to acquire knowledge and understanding of the traditional music, dance, and drama of their environment and those of their neighbors‟ is now generally recognized. However, for a while, without this preparation, they will not be able to participate in the life of the communities to which they belong. This study was conducted to look at the status of performing arts education in public primary schools within the Sunyani Municipality. A descriptive survey was used for this study. Observations, questionnaires, and private interviews were accustomed to collect information from 40 (30 teachers and 10 headteachers) participants. The teachers and headteachers were selected using convenience and purposive sampling techniques, respectively. Data obtained was analyzed and the results were conferred in frequencies and percentages. To determine whether or not the curriculum contains the desired content for teaching, four of the participants akin to 66.7%, responded in the affirmative. Most respondents indicated that they needed to stumble upon a subject within the curriculum they may not teach because they had no data. This cluster accounted for 83.3% representing 25 of the teachers involved in the study. Most of the participants indicated the key challenges that affect the teaching and learning of performing arts include: “the lack of teaching and learning materials, scant time allocation for the teaching of arts strands, lack of qualified academics, lack of in-service coaching and negative view of academics towards the teaching of performing arts. It is therefore recommended that the challenges hindering the effective teaching and learning of the performing arts strands and the Creative Arts in the public basic schools be addressed to elevate the status of arts education in the municipality.

Source: UCC
Perfuoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the Pra and Kakum River basins and associated tap water in Ghana

Perfuoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent environmental pollutants that have been detected in various media including human serum. Due to concerns regarding their bioaccumulation and possible negative health effects, an understanding of routes of human exposure is necessary. PFAAs are recalcitrant in many water treatment processes, making drinking water a potential source of human exposure. This study presents the frst report on contamination from PFAAs in river and drinking water in Ghana. The targeted PFAAs were perfuoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with C4–14 carbon chain and perfuoroalkane sulphonic acids (PFSAs) with C6, 8, 10. Five PFAA congeners – PFOA, PFOS, PFHxA, PFDA and PFPeA – were commonly detected in river and tap water. The mean concentrations of∑PFAAs in the Kakum and Pra Rivers were 281 and 398 ng/L, while tap water (supplied from the treatment of water from those rivers) contained concentrations of 197 and 200 ng/L, respectively. PFOA and PFOS constituted about 99% of the ∑PFAAs. The risk quotient (RQ) attributed to drinking of tap water was estimated at 1.01 and 1.74 for PFOA and PFOS, respectively. For a country that has not produced these compounds, the RQs were unexpectedly high, raising concerns particularly about contamination from such emerging pollutants in local water sources. The study revealed limitations of local tap water treatment in getting rid of these emerging pollutant

Source: UCC
Periodicity in a System of differential equations with finite delay

The existence and uniqueness of a periodic solution of the system of diferential equations ddtx(t) = A(t)x(t − τ ) are proved. In particular the Krasnoselskii’s fxed point theorem and the contraction mapping principle are used in the analysis. In addition, the notion of fundamental matrix solution coupled with Floquet theory is also employed

Source: UCC
Periodicity in multiple delay volterra difference equations of neutral type

We prove the existence and uniqueness of a periodic solution for the multiple delay diference neutral Volterra equation ∆x(n) = −∑Nj=1aj (n)x(n − τj (n)) + ∆Q(n, x(n − τ1(n)), ..., x(n − τN (n))+∑Nj=1∑nn−τj (n) kj (n, s)fj (s, x(s)). The contraction mapping principle and a Krasnoselskii’s fxed point theorem are used in the analysis

Source: UCC