ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of monetary policy instruments on economic growth: a case study of Ghana.

The study empirically examined the impact of monetary policy variables on economic growth in Ghana covering the period 1980 – 2014. The study employed Dicky –Fuller Unit Root test to examine the stationarity properties of the time series data. Again, the Johansen cointegration test and the Error Correction Model (ECM) were also applied to examine the long-run and short –run dynamics among the variables in the data set. The Pairwise Granger Causality test was employed to examine the causal relationship among the variables in the data set. The outcome of the Johansen cointegration test revealed a long –run associationship among the variables in the data set. The results of the study indicate that, contractionary monetary policy variables have negative and significant impact on Ghana’s economic growth. Thus contractionary monetary policy is harmful to Ghana’s economic growth. The summation of the co-efficient elasticities was -16.461536 which suggest that Ghana’s economy is perhaps characterized by decreasing returns to scale where increase in all inputs leads to a less proportional increase in economic growth. This implies that the Bank of Ghana’s monetary policy has not been effective in driving economic growth in Ghana. Additionally, the study also revealed that, the application of lending rate of interest, real effective exchange rate and domestic credit by the Bank of Ghana has contractionary effects on Ghana’s economic growth. For instance the study show strongly negative relationship between real effective exchange rate and economic growth in Ghana. This implies that the depreciation of the exchange rate (Ghana cedi) is detrimental to Ghana’s economic growth. The empirical results also indicate a negative and statistically significant relationship between economic growth and domestic credit implying that sufficient credit has not been channeled to the productive sector of the economy perhaps due bureaucratic red tape and corruption. To create the enabling environment to stimulate economic growth, the government must confront corruption head on by cutting the bureaucratic red tape, creating transparency and openness in disbursing funds for economic and development projects, and create favourable environment to attract foreign direct investment. Finally, Government must increase expenditure to important sectors of the economy such as energy, agri-processing finance, export finance, education and promote public private partnership to stimulate economic growth.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Impact of Microfinance on Rural Communities: a Case Study of Tetram Kyekyewere and Boaman Communities in Offinso Branch of Sinapi Aba Trust

It is recognized that provision of financial services to the micro enterprise helps with the minimization of poverty. Large proportion of poverty among rural people has been due to certain cultural practices which have been one of the main barriers to development in developing countries. It is a problem that developing countries governments cannot solve alone because of its financial implications. This as a matter of fact has necessitated the private sector or non governmental organizations to intervene in solving this problem. One of the means found to be effective is the use of microfinance and it is believed that with microfinance people in poor communities can achieve some level of decency in their lives. An attempt has been made to identify some clients of Sinapi Aba Trust in three communities in Offinso Branch to assess the impact of SAT credit on their businesses and families and recommend strategies to enhance the operational deficiency in SAT. This has been achieved through administration of questionnaire and interviews of Ninety Four clients of the three communities at Offinso Branch of the Trust. The study aims at finding out whether there is a possible causal relationship between elements of SAT and the clients they deal with. SAT is chosen because it is a non governmental organization in Ghana that deals in microfinance in all the ten regions of Ghana. The Offinso branch is also selected because it has clients who are four years and above.Focus group discussions and an interview with clients were arried out. First of all, a brief introduction to the study is given; the general concept about microfinance is narrated.In the findings and analysis it was realized that access to microfinance has effect on the individual, household/family, community and enterprise levels of clients. In that some were able to increase their savings level, diversify their business, and improve upon the living standards of their household. The study further identified that marketing has emerged as an important managerial tool and there is the need for SAT to beef up it marketing department so that they could research in what clients really want so that we do not impose on them. Finally, the study identified immense growth-related opportunities for the SAT and if these recommendations are implemented will go a long way to enhance the operations of SAT to enable micro entrepreneurs access financial resources and create wealth among themselves. Notwithstanding these, the clients complained about the group loans which seem to be the main product that the branch gives to them. It was therefore concluded that effort should be made to give the client more individual loans and faction out specific products that will meet/address the specific needs of these clients such as school fees loan.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the impact of mutual funds’ performance on investment decisions of fund managers in Ghana

In the last few decades, mutual funds have developed due to the global integration of financial markets. The main aim of this study is assessing the impact of some mutual funds’ performance on investment decisions of fund managers in Ghana. The study used both primary and secondary data for the research. The secondary data were obtained from the annual reports of the selected Mutual funds from 2014 to 2018 and questionnaires were used to obtain the primary data. The study found that Money Market Fund witnessed an exceptional performance than Equity Mutual Fund and Balanced Mutual Funds in terms of the Sharpe Ratio. However using the Treynor index for comparing the best performance mutual fund, the result found that the best performing mutual fund was Equity Mutual Fund which recorded the highest average ratio of -0.084. The study also found that the investments decisions mutual fund managers adopt were market timing decisions, risk assessment decisions and portfolio selection decisions. The study also concluded that the three key factors that influence investment decisions of fund managers were the economy, market information and anxiety. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made. Mutual fund managers should make a constructive effort to construct a good portfolio in the equity market since the best performing funds were the equity mutual funds as per the findings of the study. Mutual fund managers should assess and consider those macroeconomic variables that are pertinent in the economy and affects the activities of the economy before making investment decisions. SEC should protect investors by putting in strict measures to check the investment decisions of mutual fund managers.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the impact of occupational health and safety needs on the lives of construction workers: A case study at Abasa General Enterprise Limited-Kumasi

Occupational health and safety issues are concerned with protecting employees and other people affected by what the company produces and does, against the hazards arising from their employment or their links with the prevention of ill-health arising from working conditions. Construction sites are seen to be accidents prone areas because of the machinery and equipment they use in their daily operation. Contractors most often downplay on the health and safety of workers at the workplace. No Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Welfare facilities, training and protection are offered workers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is the only regulatory body plays an insignificant role when contractors fail to provide a healthy and safe environment for workers. Using simple random sampling technique, 60 questionnaires were distributed to administrators, project Engineers, Project managers, Site Foremen, Drivers, Artisans and Labourers. All questionnaires were retrieved representing a hundred percent response rate. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and scale ranking. The findings indicate employers of Abasa General Enterprise Limited in the Kumasi Metropolis provide few welfare facilities and safety materials to workers. The findings also indicate that first-aid equipments, safe drinking water, sanitary facilities, provision of personal protection equipment (PPE) and training of workers on safety procedures, were the measures needed for addressing the occupational health and safety issues confronting workers on construction sites. The absence of health and safety gadgets and welfare facilities cause a lot of injuries on site, the end result is lost of job and ultimately, death. It is recommended that Safety Officers from Ghana Labour office should liaise with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and in conjunction with the Association of Civil Engineering and Building Contractors, regularly visit construction sites to ensure the enforcement of laws governing the provision of welfare facilities and safety materials, employment, and rights of casual workers. It is also recommended that contractors should be encouraged to set up Human Resource and Safety Departments for the purpose of executing safety education campaigns and training programmes to all workers.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the impact of Networking on the performance of a bank: (The Wharton model) The case of SG-SSB Kumasi.

The financial sector is one of the business areas that has been most affected by the spread of new technologies, particularly the internet. These technologies have not only had a bearing on the internal organizational process, but have also had a sizeable influence on the way in which financial institutions interrelate with customers Furthermore these technologies as well as the emergence of intense financial service providers have been the main driving force of competition. These developments have been redefining the success factors for the industry participants. This study will seek to identify strategies that banks consider and values that must be created through the networking programmes to ensure effective performance of the bank. Research was carried out in Kumasi branches of SG-SSB bank to elicit the views of customers, key managers, IT staff, and staff on the impact of networking through value creation on the performance of the bank. Findings are that the bank’s strategy for embarking on networking programmes is expansion. Even though networking programmes have some advantages some customers value the banker/customer relationship. The values created by the bank through its networking programmes are increased customer convenience through flexibility in banking service, reduction of problems encountered in human contacts, reduction of waiting time, providing precise and accurate information and increasing market share by meeting the changing needs of customers. However some customers complained about occasional failure of the network which was confirmed by IT staff as well as key managers. Responses about measures management is putting in place to rectify the situation appears management is not doing enough. Management must ensure that IT staffs are continually given the necessary training for new applications and equipment. Also their server should be upgraded to accommodate the high growth in customer database to ensure total convenience to the customer. Furthermore findings also point towards profitability being the major impact of networking on the performance of the bank.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Impact of Mobile Money in Providing Financial Inclusion for the Rural Population of the Kasena/Nankana West District of Upper East Region

The introduction of mobile money services by the Telecommunication companies have become a common phenomenon in recent times in a bid to gain comparative advantage through diversification, and increase in market share to boost growth and profitability. This service facilitates the transfer/receipts of money in a convenient, quick and reliable manner. It also provides an ideal platform for small savings to majority of rural population who have no access to formal financial services. The study therefore seeks to explore the impact of mobile money on the savings behavior as well as on the payment (transfers and receipts) in the Kasena/Nankana west district of the Upper East region. Based on self-administered questionnaire for a sample size of 300 respondents of mobile phone users, the study employed the probit model analysis as estimation technique. The results showed that mobile money has provided an ideal platform for savings and promotes delivery of remittances through quick and reliable transfers especially by low-income individuals thereby promoting financial inclusion.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the impact of occupational health and safety needs on the lives of construction workers.A case study at Abasa General Enterprise Limited-Kumasi

Occupational health and safety issues are concerned with protecting employees and other people affected by what the company produces and does, against the hazards arising from their employment or their links with the prevention of ill-health arising from working conditions. Construction sites are seen to be accidents prone areas because of the machinery and equipment they use in their daily operation. Contractors most often downplay on the health and safety of workers at the workplace. No Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Welfare facilities, training and protection are offered workers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is the only regulatory body plays an insignificant role when contractors fail to provide a healthy and safe environment for workers. Using simple random sampling technique, 60 questionnaires were distributed to administrators, project Engineers, Project managers, Site Foremen, Drivers, Artisans and Labourers. All questionnaires were retrieved representing a hundred percent response rate. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and scale ranking. The findings indicate employers of Abasa General Enterprise Limited in the Kumasi Metropolis provide few welfare facilities and safety materials to workers. The findings also indicate that first-aid equipments, safe drinking water, sanitary facilities, provision of personal protection equipment (PPE) and training of workers on safety procedures, were the measures needed for addressing the occupational health and safety issues confronting workers on construction sites. The absence of health and safety gadgets and welfare facilities cause a lot of injuries on site, the end result is lost of job and ultimately, death. It is recommended that Safety Officers from Ghana Labour office should liaise with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and in conjunction with the Association of Civil Engineering and Building Contractors, regularly visit construction sites to ensure the enforcement of laws governing the provision of welfare facilities and safety materials, employment, and rights of casual workers. It is also recommended that contractors should be encouraged to set up Human Resource and Safety Departments for the purpose of executing safety education campaigns and training programmes to all workers.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the impact of organisational structure and systems on work culture and service quality, a case study of Ejisu National Health Insurance Scheme

Delivery of quality service to sustain clients is the major concern of any organisation that seeks growth and sustenance. The human resource of an organisation have greater impact on the quality of service rendered to clients hence the need for top management to pay attention to human resource systems and the work culture of their organisations. The primary purpose of this study is to assess how an organisation's structures and human resource systems affect the work culture and consequently its service quality. The study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Scheme at Ejisu. The objectives of this study was categorised into general and specific objectives. The general objective was to examine the organisational structures and systems of National Health Insurance Scheme, Ejisu-Juaben Municipal and how it impacts work culture and service quality. The sampling technique employed was the random sampling. A total of two hundred and twenty-seven (227) were used for the study of which a hundred and fifty (150) were clients of the scheme and seventy-seven, staff of the scheme. Primary and secondary data were used for the study, with the primary gathered through field survey and the secondary from the internet, books and the scheme's office. Data analysis method used was the quantitative method. Correlation and regression analysis was made. From the findings, it was realised that structures and systems are highly recognised by the staff of National Health Insurance Scheme. Also the structures and systems of the scheme are positively to their work culture but the structures and systems do not relate significantly to on service quality and it is same with their work culture and service quality too. It was therefore recommended that National Health Insurance Scheme introduce negotiated order to enable other departments give helping hand to each other when the need arises. It was also recommended that the scheme adopt appropriate culture so as to provide satisfactory service to its clients.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the impact of organizational support on training and development: A case study of the University for Development Studies

Human capital constitutes the most important resource of an organization. It is the Resource that makes all other Resources matter. In the ever increasing dynamism of the world of business and employment, employees are on a constant search for opportunities at other organizations in hopes that one such would present them with the right mix of all expectations. Among a prospective employee’s expectations is support from the organization. The research investigated the level of perceived organizational support and how it has impacted on Training and development behaviors and on commitment of staff and employees of UDS. The population of the study was solely provided by the Central administration of the University for Development Studies in Dungu, Tamale. The respondents of this research were both management and employees, teaching and non-teaching staff. The sample size was set at 80. Simple random sampling was used in order to ensure that each member of the target population had an equal chance of being selected. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences), was then used for quantitative analysis of the Data. The research revealed that, not all staff could benefit from the available forms of support due to eligibility criteria such as length of service, category of employment and one’s position on the university’s hierarchy. It further revealed a preference of teaching staff over than non-teaching staff in relation to the enjoyment of available forms of organizational support. On the bases of the research results, it was recommended that the Human Resource Division needs to be strengthened through capacity building, while also putting in place firm policies in relation to the organizational support offered to employees. Also, in order to get the most of the employees, and improve performance of work, the needed tools and equipment, logistics and working environment must be created and maintained. Materials and Resources must be made available to employees to enable them carry out their functions effectively, and efficiently in order to reduce material waste.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the impact of project management applications on GETFund projects. A case study of Wa Municipality

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of applying project management knowledge areas on the success of projects using GETfund projects in the Wa Municipality as a case study. The assessment of the success of the project was determined by using three indicators, which were cost, schedule and quality achievements and these indicators were used because they are broadly used in every sector in managing projects and is understood by different kinds of practitioners in various fields. In order to obtain data for analysis, survey questionnaires were drawn and distributed to project staffs of GETFund in the Wa Municipality. The data collected was used to assess the degree of significance of connecting several project management application areas in order to achieve better project performance in terms of cost, schedule and quality. Analysis of the effect of project management applications on the success of the projects was undertaken using descriptive data analysis and using social science package software version 20 to identify the correlation between the importance of applying project management applications and the success of the project. The major outcomes extracted from the study were that it was essential to connect the several project management applications to achieve greater success on a project. It was again made known that all the application areas of project management were important in achieving greater success on the project. However, the significance of the application areas are not the same with cost management having the highest significance and followed by scope management. The impact of the application areas in achieving the planned schedule was discovered to be lagging behind cost and quality performance. It was discovered that the use of project management application areas turn to have a positive effect on the success of the project and by so doing enhancing the success of the organization. The research gave further suggestions for enhancement of the use of project management application areas and also suggested that more project performance indicators should be developed in other studies. Lastly, suggestions were made on subjects for further research on the impact of project management application areas on the success of projects in all government project-oriented organizations in addition to GETFund

Source: KNUST