ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of Project Risk Management in the Construction of Telecommunication Towers

This academic research aims at examining how telecommunication operators identify, measure and manage risks in cell site construction projects in Ghana. The specific objectives are to determine how cell sites are constructed; the risks involved and examine how project implementers have managed the risk forms in tower construction projects. The study makes use of field data sourced from major telecommunication operators in Ghana through administered questionnaires delivered to respondents . Fifty-six (56) questionnaires were administered but due to a high non-response rate, thirty-two (32) were obtained, representing 62% of the total respondents. There were 19 respondents from Millicom Ghana (tiGo); 6 from MTN; 4 from Vodafone; 2from Airtel and 1 from Espresso. Findings in this study indicate that tasks such as site feasibility assessment, survey, and marking; finalization of specifications for equipment, works in consultation with technical and commercial teams are critical in the construction process. Financial and market leadership loss risks are also most crucial to their success. Project implementers transfer financial risk by use of insurance over inclusion of indemnity clauses in contracts. The expected net present value (ENPV) and expected monitory value (EMV) are the most prevalent quantitative techniques used to identify and measure risks as "rule of thumb” is used qualitatively. Collaboration among project parties is fundamental to achieve cell site project goals. Recommendations include attention to feasibility assessment and a fair representation of individuals with various backgrounds for an evaluative oversight for minimal deviation in standards, capital budgets and consumer centric factors.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of project schedule management at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority

Developing project plan and schedule is a critical task in the management of any project. The planning obviously requires competent and experienced personnel. Unfortunately, the emerging trends suggest a skill shortage in the area of project planning. Compounding this problem of skills shortage is the limited time experienced project managers have to plan on most projects whereas construction processes are becoming more complex and logistically challenging. To bridge these gaps, this study is designed to achieve this aim; ‘to assess project schedule management at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’ through the achievement of the following objectives; To identify the various techniques, tools and methods used in scheduling projects executed by/for the GPHA, to identify factors that affect project schedule management and to identify the challenges project managers face in the use of project scheduling techniques and methods. It was found that Microsoft Project, PERT, and Critical Path Method are important techniques/tools used in scheduling projects. Project complexity, team experience, task dependencies, deadline, stakeholders, and budget are the most important factors that affect project schedule management. Lack of project management training, role of senior leadership, triple constraints, human or people factors, poor adoption of project are the key challenges of schedule management. Simplifying of project, ensuring good training for project teams, setting project time are recommended by this study as ways of improving on project schedule management.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Promotion Criteria for Senior Members in the University of Education, Winneba

In the past, people joined organizations and stayed with them for their entire working lives. However, in recent times it has been discovered that employees have become increasingly concerned about their career prospects. This study was carried out to assess the efficacy or otherwise of the set of criteria used in the assessment of Senior Members in the University of Education, Winneba for promotion. The main objective was to look at the problems as well as the good sides of the criteria and make recommendations for its improvement. Questionnaire and interviews were used as the main methods of data collection. Other documents obtained from the University were also used as sources of data. The total population for the study was 325. A sample size of 80 was chosen for the study. The main findings arrived at indicated that most Senior Members of the University were aware of the existence of the promotion criteria but had not made efforts to acquaint themselves with the details. Some problems associated with the criteria were delays, bureaucracy and difficulty in getting external assessors. The general perception of respondents on the criteria was that it needs to be improved upon because it discourages hard work. Some of the recommendations made were that the Division of Human Resource should make copies of the promotion criteria available to all Senior Members, the procedures involved in applying for promotion should be reviewed to make the processing of applications faster. The application for promotion form should also be revised to make it more explanatory and easier to complete.

Source: KNUST
An assessment of promotional satisfaction among the workers of Cocoa marketing Company Limited

This study assesses promotional satisfaction among employees at Cocoa Marketing Company Limited. The study reviewed Literature on the concept and definition of job promotion, the determinants of job promotion, job satisfaction concept, and factors influencing job satisfaction. The study adopted the quantitative research approach to collect data from the staff of Cocoa Marketing Company Limited. Thus data is collected via questionnaire from 149 employees and analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The result of the study revealed that, less than half of the employees have received promotion and those who had not been promoted are expecting promotion. The study found out that, the promotion package in Cocoa Marketing Company includes pay increase and promotion from lower rank to high rank. The findings also revealed that workers’ acquisition of new productive human capital (by experience); workers’ commitment to the firm (tenure); workers adequate ability and skills; and workers’ acquisition of academic degree most relevant to job performance are the major determinant of internal promotion. The study found that staff is satisfied with promotional policies available whiles in the case of implementation of the promotion policy, majority of staff were somewhat dissatisfied. It is recommended that management peruse a more transparent promotional policy and also staff expecting promotion should acquire new productive human capital; be committed to the organisation (tenure); acquire adequate ability and skills.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of public procurement act (914) on sustainable procurement in the public institution: A case study of Municipal Assemblies in Greater Accra

Public Procurement Act (2016) include sustainability prerequisites such as environmental, social and economic issues of sustainability in public procurement. The aim of the study is to assess the implementation of the provision for sustainable procurement in the Public Procurement Act. A descriptive research was employed. The population for this study comprised members of staff who are involved in public procurement activities in Municipal Assemblies in Greater Accra (i.e. Adenta Municipal Assembly, Ga East Municipal Assembly and La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly). The survey covered a population of over 200 people comprising staff of the Procurement Unit, Finance/Accounts Section, Internal Audit Unit, Entity Tender committee and Key Suppliers of the municipalities. Stratified random sampling technique was utilized for drawing 75 participants for this research. The study found out that MMDAs understudied have policies to ensure implementation of sustainable procurement. Yet, not all municipal assemblies have developed a procurement manual to ensure sustainable public procurement. The study also revealed that sustainability considerations are requirements in the tendering processes amongst MMDAs in Ghana and as such contractors are bound to the practice of Sustainable Procurement of projects from the MMDAs. The study found out that environmental, economic and social impacts are considered during project implementation in MMDAs in Ghana. The study found out that MMDAs ensure that an entity tender committee of a Regional Coordinating Council reviews procurement plans, approves annual procurement plans and quarterly updates of procurement plans, confirm the range of acceptable costs of items to be procured and match these with the available funds in the approved budget in order to ensure that they support the policies and programmes including sustainable procurement. The study recommends that MMDAs must have procurement manuals which would spell the procedures for compliance with relevant procurement procedures, providing professional and practical advice to the procuring entity on procurement matters. The study further recommends that contractors biddings for projects submits as part of the tender documents, the environmental, economic and social impacts of the project entity tender committees from MMDAs, Regional and National tender committees must synchronize their operations for effective delivery. The study recommends that all stakeholders in the public procurement processes are educated and well equipped with amended procurement act with focus on sustainable procurement.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of pulp flour quality of three varieties of plantain pulp produced using sun and solar drying methods

Plantain, an important staple in Ghana is known to be very perishable and efforts (including flour production) aimed at promoting its usable life and diversify its usage is imperative. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess the quality of flours produced using three plantain varieties and two different drying technologies (sun and solar). A survey was conducted in five selected communities (Hiawu Besease, Nerebehi, Asakraka, Nkotomire and Nyamebekyere) in the Atwima Nponua district in the Ashanti region using structured questionnaires to document indigenous knowledge on food uses of plantain varieties in Ghana. Laboratory analysis was conducted at Ghana Standards Authority using standard official methods to determine the physico-chemical qualities, functional properties and pasting characteristics of flour made from apem, asamienu and Apantu varieties which were either solar and sun dried. A 2X3 factorial in Completely Randomized Design was the experimental design used. The results showed that majority (99%) of the respondents indicated plantain as a staple food. The most common varieties of plantain in the study area were Apem, Apantu, Oniaba and Asamienu which were used in the preparation of fufu, ampesi, ofam and plantain chips. Moisture content, crude fat, crude fibre and ash content of both the solar and sun dried plantain flours from the varieties ranged from 10.10%- 8.87%, 1.00% -0.43%, 3.10% - 1.57% and 2.27% - 1.47% respectively. For functional properties, the sun and solar dried flours from the three varieties recorded 9.90-9.02g/g of swelling power, 45.68-9.75 of solubility, 0.86-0.84 of bulk density, 1.53-0.85g/g of water absorption, 1.14-0.80g/g of oil absorption capacity and 47.50-23.75ml of foaming capacity. Flours from both the sun and solar dried flours from Apem, Apantu and Asamienu exhibited high pasting qualities and could be used as thickening agents and also used in fufu powder preparation and other confectionaries.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of quality management practices at the construction stage of projects undertaken by Municipal Assemblies: A case of Offinso Municipal Assembly

International Standards Organization defines quality as the make-up of the features of an item that can fulfill stated or implied needs. There are myriads of challenges affecting Quality management in the construction industry in Ghana. Specifications are mostly not adhered to and materials used for projects are invariably substandard, amongst others. The aim of this study was to assess the quality management practices in construction project delivery at the construction stage with Offinso Municipal Assembly as a case study. This aim was further broken down into three objectives: Identifying the quality management practices, challenges to implementation of Quality Management Practices, and identifying strategies that can improve Quality Management Practices in the Offinso Municipality. This study adopted the quantitative approach, collectively employing the purposive sampling technique in representing the population. The data collected was analyzed using the SPSS software package. Descriptive Statistics were used in analyzing the data and presented in tables and charts. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used in ranking the factors that were presented in the survey carried out. The study found that “Optimized material resource management” practices as the most common quality management practice. “Lack of effective communication processes” was ranked respondents as the primary challenge to implementing quality management practices. “Providing training” was also ranked as the best strategy to improving quality management practices. This study recommends that there should be adequate education and training on quality management practices, as well as optimal material resource management practices in reducing waste on projects. Also, this study recommends that management should be committed to implementing quality management practices whiles imbibing a culture of managing quality in the organization. Ultimately, this study points toiii personnel training, in effective communication and quality management awareness, as the best way of enhancing quality management at Offinso Municipal Assembly.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Quality Management Practices at the Construction Stage of Projects Undertaken by Municipal Assemblies: A case of Offinso Municipal Assembly

International Standards Organization defines quality as the make-up of the features of an item that can fulfill stated or implied needs. There are myriads of challenges affecting Quality management in the construction industry in Ghana. Specifications are mostly not adhered to and materials used for projects are invariably substandard, amongst others. The aim of this study was to assess the quality management practices in construction project delivery at the construction stage with Offinso Municipal Assembly as a case study. This aim was further broken down into three objectives: Identifying the quality management practices, challenges to implementation of Quality Management Practices, and identifying strategies that can improve Quality Management Practices in the Offinso Municipality. This study adopted the quantitative approach, collectively employing the purposive sampling technique in representing the population. The data collected was analyzed using the SPSS software package. Descriptive Statistics were used in analyzing the data and presented in tables and charts. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used in ranking the factors that were presented in the survey carried out. The study found that “Optimized material resource management” practices as the most common quality management practice. “Lack of effective communication processes” was ranked respondents as the primary challenge to implementing quality management practices. “Providing training” was also ranked as the best strategy to improving quality management practices. This study recommends that there should be adequate education and training on quality management practices, as well as optimal material resource management practices in reducing waste on projects. Also, this study recommends that management should be committed to implementing quality management practices whiles imbibing a culture of managing quality in the organization. Ultimately, this study points to personnel training, in effective communication and quality management awareness, as the best way of enhancing quality management at Offinso Municipal Assembly.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of Quality of Construction Professional Project Services Received By Small Building Contractors in Ghana.

The fundamental needs of every client in the construction industry has been quality. By way of that, construction projects that are able to be accomplished with distinguishing quality will certainly empower to pleasure their clients. Owing that the industry’s setting has wadded behind other sectors in enlightening the quality, it has also been a key provider to the economy of any country. Hence, professionals however faces the delinquent of high disintegration, variability, low efficiency, poor excellence and lack of standards and ethics. The aim of this study was to assess Quality of Construction professional project services received by small building contractors in Ghana. Questionnaires were directed to a sample of 44 D3K3 and D4K4 contractors and other professionals using random sampling approach. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS Version 21) was used to analyze the data obtained and rating were used to assess the specific objectives of the study. Similarly, this study identified some elements of service quality which were ranked according to the responses obtained from respondents as professionals in these firms are consistently courteous to contactors. Modern looking equipment such as computers and other facilities to work with, professional quantity surveying firms understand the specific needs of contractors, working hours are convenient to contractors and sincere interest in solving contractors’ problems were also identified. Also, some quality awareness of construction professionals level according to respondents on the quality of service received by their clients includes contractors are committed to quality in the organization, contractors provides a leadership role in quality management initiatives and critical resources essential in implementing service quality initiatives are made always available. Finally, the study recommends that, beneficiaries of projects when completed should be educated on the benefit they would derive from it and hence they should abstain from low quality construction products and services and welcome projects that would come their way in their various communities.

Source: KNUST
An Assessment of Quality of Customer Service Delivery in the Banking Sector of Ghana- A Case Study of Ecobank Customers

Delivering excellent customer service is a winning strategy which results in more new customers, more business with existing customers, high customer retention and lower customer attrition. There is general perception that banks in Ghana do not deliver quality customer service and this is a worrying situation that needs investigation and hence the need for a research work such as this. The aim of the work was to investigate the quality of customer service delivery by banks to their customers taking into consideration factors that may cause customer dissatisfaction, the gap between customer perception and expectation of the quality of service and the new trends in customers’ expectation. Using the questionnaire method, data was gathered from 150 respondents and analyzed to bring out the findings. The researcher sought to compare two different responses from one sample group. With the help of a five (5) point likert scale responses were gathered for both expectation and perception of customers and the repeated measure t-test was used to allow comparisons among the variables under each condition. For instance, perception of tangibles was compared to expectation of tangibles under that condition. The findings showed that generally overall satisfaction of customers with the quality of service delivered by banks was low. There were gaps between customers’ perception and expectation on the various quality dimensions which are tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. Customers also indicated that they were expecting their banks to reduce ATM charges, make available small loans, extend closing time, raise the interest on deposits and open more branches in the villages. The recommendation made was that banks must take a critical look at the dimensions used (tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) in the study and patch-up gaps that exist between customer expectation and perception.

Source: KNUST
Assessment of quality of counselling given by dispensers in the co-administration of enteric-coated drugs (medications) and antacids

Patient counselling forms part of the quality pharmaceutical service provision in any health care delivery system. This leads to an improvement of patients’ outcome, a reduction in development of complications and adverse drug reactions. The quality of counselling given by dispensers when dispensing enteric-coated medicines together with antacids to be used by a patient concurrently needs to be assessed since the oral administration of the two medicines at the same time would result in the premature dissolution of the enteric coating of the coated tablets leading to the absorption of the drug in the stomach, instead of the duodenum, and the patient not having the full benefit of treatment. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in ten randomly selected public hospitals in the Volta Region of Ghana within a 2-week period in May to June 2009. A total of sixty-six dispensers, who have been practising for more than 3 months, were interviewed with a questionnaire. The data collected was processed and analyzed by the use of Microsoft excel. Of the sixty-six respondents, 21.2% were pharmacists, 36.4% and 42.4% were dispensing technicians/technologists and dispensing assistants/attendants respectively. The study showed that there was much awareness among dispensers not to administer antacids and enteric-coated medicines concurrently but the actual time interval in the administration of both oral medicines was not well known The result obtained in this study suggests that the about half (42.4%) of the dispensers working in the public hospitals in the Volta Region had no formal training in pharmaceutical service provision and this might have affected the quality of counselling given by this category of dispensers to their clients. There is the need to improve the competence of the pharmacy staff and to augment the number of staff by training, recruiting and employing people with formal training in pharmaceutical service provision by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service in order to improve upon the quality pharmaceutical service provision to the clients.

Source: KNUST