ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The effects of microfinance interventions on the development of SMEs in the Bekwai Municipal Assembly

Most Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the developing world rely mainly on microfinance for their operations. There is therefore the notion that the boom in the SMEs sector, particularly in developing countries is due to the advent of micro financing. However, some critics of the microfinance concept differ on this notion. The purpose of this research is therefore to assess the effects of microfinance interventions on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana using the Bekwai Municipality as the study area. The cross-sectional survey approach was employed to carry out this research. Simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting 144 SMEs that constituted the sample size in addition to five Micro-finance Institutions (MFIs). Structured questionnaire was designed to facilitate the acquisition of relevant data which was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics which involves simple percentage graphical charts and illustrations were used in the data presentation and analysis. The findings of the study show that, for SMEs in the study area to be eligible for microfinance, they are required to have an account and must have saved for six months with the MFIs, provide collateral security, and perhaps, demonstrate the viability of the project/business for which the microfinance is being sought. It also revealed that, in addition to the mainstream financial assistance (microfinance loans) given to SMEs by the MFIs, other vital non-monetary supports including financial advisory services, book keeping and managerial capacity training are provided to the SMEs. The study therefore shows that, as a result of microfinance interventions in the Bekwai Municipality, most SMEs have experienced growth and this is manifested mostly in terms of increased working capital and average monthly earnings. However, the main challenges that face SMEs in the study area include the insistence of collateral (42.4 percent), high rate of loan application rejections (34.7 percent) and lack of support for startup SMEs (22.9 percent). The study recommends that, microfinance institutions should always monitor the activities of SMEs they grant loans and provide them with the necessary technical assistance to put them on track to ensuring that microfinance loans are invested profitably to bring down the rate of default in loan repayment; SMEs should endeavour to register their businesses to enhance their credibility and also, form associations to promote their collective interests.

Source: KNUST
The effects of microfinance on poverty reduction: a case study of Dunkwa central market women

The concept of micro-finance has emerged as a potential solution to the financial insecurity of the economically disadvantaged since the early 1970s. Microfinance Institutions have made the provision of sustainable livelihoods to local communities a major activity. One of the mechanisms is through the distribution of micro-credit therefore, it is important to determine the impact of micro-credit on the livelihood of beneficiaries in the local communities and make suggestion to improve the scheme. The objective of this study was to evaluate Micro financing as an instrument, for poverty reduction market women at the Dunkwa central market. This study has been conducted to evaluate the actual contributions of micro finance institutions to the Dunkwa Central Market women in order to improve the livelihoods of the inhabitants of the area. Micro-finance gives households the ability to manage household emergencies, build assets and reduces their vulnerability to crises. A sample size of 50 respondent traders were selected from the market, considering the various types of wares the dealt in on the market. The study focused on the market women in the study area, enhancing the poverty alleviation potential of small firms through financial, regulatory and managerial assistances will eventually reduce dependency on foreign market. This will not only save foreign exchange but also reduce the impact which fluctuations of foreign exchange receipts will have domestically.

Source: KNUST
Effects of mulching materials on agronomic characteristics, pests of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and their natural enemies population

The trial was to study the effect of different mulching materials on agronomic characteristics, pests and their subsequent effect on the natural enemies of the pests of pepper (Capsicum annuum). A field experiment was conducted at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), between December, 2010 and March, 2011. The mulching materials used were (1) straw mulch, (2) plastic mulch and (3) live-mulch of cowpea plant. The experimental field contained fifteen plots using a randomised complete block design in three replications. Parameters measured were pests of Capsicum annuum, some natural enemies of the pests, days to 50% flowering, plant height, plant girth, damage caused and yield assessment which included damaged fruits caused by the pests, number of fruits, fruit weight (in grams), and percentage increase in fruit yield. Plant height was seemingly highest under straw mulched soils. Straw mulch also flowered early as compared to the live-mulch of cowpea and plastic mulch but the margin was narrow. None of the mulches exhibited higher pest suppression ability over the other. However, Straw mulch had apparently larger population of natural enemies than the other treatments. Damaged fruits in the three mulching materials did not differ significantly. Control plot soils had significantly (P<0.05) higher temperatures than the mulched soils. The results indicated that straw mulch enhanced plant height and increased fruit number and percentage yield whilst live-mulch of cowpea and plastic mulch reduced plant height, fruit number and percentage yield. Data generated in this study have shown that cowpea mulch may be more effective in suppressing pest populations of pepper but straw mulch may provide a better refuge for the natural enemies and should be recommended as an integral option for pest management in pepper production. Ad you may be interested in Full-text

Source: KNUST
Effects of Municipal Solid Wastes on Four Major Rivers in Gyenegyene, Berekum Municipal

The effects of Municipal Solid Wastes on Major Rivers; Suntri, Mmabamena, Kyenebra and Slaughter house Suntri in the Gyenegyene Community, were investigated from August, 2010 to July, 2011. Physico-Chemical parameters; pH, Colour and Turbidity, Mercury, Phosphate and Nitrate and microbial load were investigated using Standard methods. A total of thirty-two (32) samples were taken and analyzed. pH was below the World Health Organization Guidelines value of 8.50 pH and the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency Guideline value of 9.00. All the sampling sites had temperatures and colour values below the acceptable Guidelines. However, microbial loads in the rivers were high. Phosphate and Nitrate were below the EPA and WHO guidelines values. Lead (Pb) and Mercury concentrations were above the permissible limit of 0.01mg/L for heavy metal contamination of rivers. A cluster analysis performed on the data to establish contamination trends between the rivers showed that Slaughter House Suntri was the most polluted and Mmabamena was the least polluted.

Source: KNUST
Effects of multiplicity of taxes on functional obligation of hoteliers in tourism industry in ghana

Multiple taxation continues to be a bane to the operations of hotels operating in Ghana especially those in Accra. The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of multiple taxation in the financial obligations of hotels operating in Accra. The study used a cross-sectional quantitative descriptive research design, and a total of 120 staff from the various hotels in Accra were purposively selected. Responses from the participants were elicited using a well-structured selfadministered questionnaire by leveraging on Google Form. The analyses of the data were performed using the JASP software by running descriptive statistics and mean score analysis of Likert scales. The results of the study showed that hotels pay more than 12 different taxes and levies in addition to about 3 to 5 other financial obligations to external bodies. One main relevance of paying taxes was the perceived contribution to national revenue. Any other relevance or benefits of paying taxes and levies were rated very low by the participants. The adverse effect of multiple taxation included increased rates charged for services, negative effect on profit of hotels, hindrance to hotel growth, and disruption of hotel operations by tax agents who visit the facility. Hotels use more that 22 percent of their revenue to pay taxes and levies. It was recommended that government should view hotels as the last resort in the generation of internally generated revenue and rather focus on other related industries. There is also the need for a uniform or single tax for hotels to ensure compliance and effectiveness. Government is advised to provide tax incentives to hotels to motivate them to voluntarily pay taxes.

Source: KNUST
Effects of NPK and poultry manure rates on the growth, nitrogen fixation and grain yield of soybean (Glycine max (l) Merrill).

Soybean is a legume and has a great potential to fix atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil fertility in addition to providing edible grains. Nitrogen fixation, however, is constrained by environmental factors which include soil nutrient inadequacy. A field experiment was carried out at Nkorang, Nkawie, which fall under the moist semideciduous forest vegetation zone in Ghana, to investigate the effects of different rates of NPK and poultry manure on growth, N fixation and grain yield of soybean under zero tillage cultivation.The experimental design used was a 3x3 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design. The factors studied were poultry manure rates and NPK rates. NPK rates were 0, 45 and 90 kg/ha and poultry manure rates were 0, 2, and 4 tons/ha. Each treatment was replicated four times and there were nine plots per block.The field was slashed and glyphosate 360 (isopropylamine salt) was applied as a pre-plant herbicide at 2 L per hectare of water two weeks after slashing. Plots were then laid with each plot measuring 2.5 m x 4 m and planting was done at a spacing of 10cm x 5 cm. Data taken on plants included plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, crop growth rate, shoot biomass, leaf area, nodule number, number of effective nodules, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight, grain yield and amount of N fixed.The results of the experiment showed that application of NPK or poultry manure significantly affected the growth of soybean. Higher rates of NPK and poultry manure caused significantly higher growth in some parameters.Generally, yield components were not affected by NPK or poultry manure rates. This observation was mainly due to low rainfall at the onset of pod formation. In contrast, poultry manure rate at 2 tons/ha had a significanteffect (p<0.05) on grain yield apparently because of increased nodulation and N fixation. Generally, there were increase in nodulation and nodule effectiveness observed in poultry manure (2 tons/ha) treatments. Further studies v can be executed to verify the results, but such must be sited where irrigation can be done when rainfall fails.

Source: KNUST
The effects of oil exploitation on residental rental housing- A case of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

The resource curse theory has gained prominence in oil resource economies with emphasis on the macroeconomic, environmental and livelihood implications. Studies on its applicability to local urban and spatial development have been minimal. The study sought to join the discussion on the applicability of the theory to resource endowed areas and the implication it has for spatial development by adopting the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis as a case study. Recognizing the important role rental housing plays in the mobility of labour as well as an affordable housing choice for low and middle income earners, the study assessed the effects of oil exploitation on this important aspect of residential housing in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis being the capital of the Western Region and the host city with the infrastructural and service capacity to support the oil exploitation. The study adopted the mixed methods design to facilitate the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 361 tenants for the study. Non-probability sampling was used to select relevant stakeholders including the Town and Country Planning Department. Pretested questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data while Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) (Version 20.0) software was used to analyze the household data. Content analysis was used for the institutional data. The major findings of the study were that the effects of the oil exploitation had not been simultaneous across the Metropolis with Takoradi sub metro recording the highest effects. Rents increased sharply particularly in Takoradi and Effia-Kwesimintsim sub metros from 2011 which resulted in increased relocation of tenants to cheaper rent areas in the Sekondi and Essikado-Ketan sub metros. The relocation of tenants would lead to the extension of social infrastructure to these areas which is a long term indirect effect. Unfortunately, no measure has been put in place by government or quasi-government institutions to increase residential rental housing in the Metropolis making the private sector exploitative. It is recommended that the Rent Control Department be resourced to function effectively and efficiently. The private formal sector should be encouraged through tax incentives to extend its services to all income groups. This can be achieved through collaboration with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust as a mode of rejuvenating its residential rental housing provision.

Source: KNUST
Effects of organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizers on the growth and yield of two contrasting maize (Zea mays, L)

Two trials were conducted at the Crop Research Institute Stations at Kwadaso and Fumesua, (Kumasi, Ghana) during the 1997 major growing season. The objective was to study the effects of organic (Poultry manure) and inorganic (chemical) fertilizers on the growth and yield of two contrasting maize (Zea mays. L.) varieties, ‘Dorke’ and ‘Obatanpa’. The design of the experiment was a split plot in 4 replications with the varieties as the main plot and fertilizer as the subplots. Crop growth, yield and yield components were assessed. The results indicated that both the shoot dry weight and the crop growth rate increased with the increase in fertilizer rate. Leaf area index (LAI) was low compared to the normal for these varieties of maize (3 - 3.5). However, the normal trend of LAI progression with time was followed and the peak was reached at anthesis and then started to decline. At Fumesua, nitrogen found in the ear leaf varied for the maize varieties. Nitrogen content varied from 1.7% to 2.4% for ‘Obatanpa’ and from 1.7% to 2.4% for ‘Dorke’. At Kwadaso, the highest grain yield was achieved by the application of 4 tons ha’ of poultry manure. The yield from this treatment differed significantly from the rest of the treatments. While the highest grain yield came from the application of 42 kg N ha-1 + 2 tons ha-1 poultry manure, at Fumesua no significant differences among the different fertilizer rates were observed.

Source: KNUST
Effects of Organizational Culture on Employee Performance: A Case of Kumasi Area of SSNIT

This study assesses the effect of the organizational culture on employee performance using the staff of the Kumasi Area of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). SSNIT is a statutory a public Trust charged with the administration of Ghana’s National Pension Scheme. As a performance management policy, SSNIT assesses its staff to ensure the continual improvement in the performance of its staff. However, the question of whether the organizational culture improves or worsens employees performance has not yet been researched in SSNIT, as no attention has been given to the effect or impact of organizational culture on employee performance in SSNIT. Thus, there is a major gap in the relevant literature in SSNIT which has to be covered by research and this study attempts to fill this gap. The study used the survey research method. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select ninety (90) respondents that constituted the sample size for the study from a target population of one hundred and seventy four (174) for reasons of time, cost and finances. The main objective was to ascertain the effect of Organizational Culture on employee performance and to formulate recommendations regarding Organizational Culture and performance issues respectively and also ascertain the effect or impact of organizational culture on employee performance. Self administered questionnaires were used in collecting data for this study. The findings of the studies amongst others were that SSNIT embraces and blends all the four types of organizational culture namely, co-operative, competitive, passive and aggressive cultures in its administrative and operational activities. These concepts have reflected in the performance issues in SSNIT thereby impacting positively on employee performance in SSNIT as deduced from the various reasons assigned by the respondents.

Source: KNUST
The effects of organisational restructuring on performance of public sector organisations: the case of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)

Organizational restructuring describes a change in the structure of an organisation. Since 1980s restructuring as been viewed as a positive and constructive exercise, in terms of iding organizations with opportunities to make structural changes to increase their efficiency. It is argued that a good organization structure does not by itself produce good performance; but a poor organizational structure makes good performance impossible, no matter how good the individual managers may be. In 2001, management of KATH undertook internal reorganization of the hospital aimed improving efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. After every aspect of the organization has been completed, evidence linking enhanced performance to the restructuring is non-existent. This study sought to bring to bear empirical evidence linking improved performance, based on identified criteria, to the reorganization of the hospital. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain primary data for the study. Participants were selected using a combination of stratified and purposive sampling methods. SPSS software was used to generate descriptive statistical data for analysis, whilst MS Excel was employed to generate graphical charts of the results. The study reveals that the hospital was reorganised to create decentralized structures and that drastically reduced bureaucracy in the hospital. The findings however suggest low level of involvement of staff in decisions leading to the change. On the whole, restructuring the hospital improved staff development and involvement in decision

Source: KNUST
The Effects of Organizational Learning Programmes on Corporate Performance: [A Case Study of Kintampo Rural Bank]

The Kintampo Rural Bank Limited is a limited liability public company that operates in the Brong Ahafo Region. This study was fashioned around methodologies and strategies to unearth the level of organizational capacity and the level of learning within the Kintampo Rural Bank. To achieve this, a cross sectional case study design was adopted in the research to ensure a detailed study of the case organization with a onetime data collection time frame. Data for the research was obtained from primary and secondary source. The sample size was determined using a cluster sampling methodology while individual respondents were selected using simple random sampling methodology. Primary data was synthesized and analysed using Microsoft Excel software and conclusions drawn out of the ensuing discussions. Major findings drawn out of the study include; that, the Kintampo Rural Bank Limited practices some form of organizational learning within the confines of the establishment; but knowledge that the activities and programmes they undertake on a daily basis can pass as organizational learning, is lacking among staff. Also, the degree to which the concept of organizational learning is applied in the bank is relatively low. This is because, the bank as per its structure behaves more like a strict bureaucracy rather than a flexible learning organisation where staff associate themselves with the core values of the organisation and contribute sincerely to their achievement. It is recommended that; Staff should be encouraged to share information using electronic media such as the internet, intranet, and bulletin boards while more training and capacity building seminars and workshops should be held for staff of the bank since 33 percent of staff since their recruitment have not received any training.

Source: KNUST
Effects of outsourcing on organizational performance : The case of selected financial institutions in Kumasi

The research examined the effects of outsourcing on the performance of organizations. Substantial uncertainties remain as to how outsourcing practices affect organizational outcomes, whether some practices have stronger effects than others, and whether complementary or synergies among such practices can further enhance organizational performance. The objectives of the study were to find out the types of activities outsourced by the organizations, the reasons for outsourcing and to evaluate the effects of the outsourced activities on the organizations performance. The methodology was based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the financial data of the selected institutions for a period of four years and the use of other moderating factors to help evaluate the organizations performance. The research employed the use of questionnaires which included the dichotomous and the rating scale which was easier to administer to the respondents and also saved time. The main function or personnel being outsourced that emerged from the study was security and then cleaning activity. These outsourced functions cut across all the institutions selected for the study. It also emerged that, the key factors that influenced the choice to outsource a function/activity by management was to reduce cost and also to allow staff to concentrate on the core activities of the institutions. The activities outsourced were peripheral activities that could easily be peeled off without much disorientation to the whole organizational set up. Security was found to be the most outsourced function and interestingly there is a spring up of many security companies. Government is therefore entreated to formulate policies to enhance the operations of these companies to enable them create job opportunities to our teeming unemployed youth to help develop Ghana.

Source: KNUST