ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing Theoperations and Management of the Kojorom Final Waste Disposal Site by the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly

Rapid population growth and urbanization have resulted in poor environmental conditions in most urban settlements in Ghana. Solid waste disposal in particular has become a daunting task for the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country. Even though greater portions of internally generated and common funds of most Assemblies go into waste management, our streets and gutters are filled with rubbish which makes the environment very dirty. This study investigated the operations and management of solid waste dumped at the Kojokrom Dumpsite by the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), and the impacts of its operation on residents and the environment. The methodology used included questionnaires and interviews with key stakeholders, field measurements, and laboratory analysis of water samples from the Anankor river. The results show that about 202 metric tonnes of waste are received at the site daily. Also, the permanent technical staffs employed by the Assembly to manage the facility lack the requisite qualification to effectively do so. This contributed to the many environmental hazards experienced in the Kojokrom community. Majority (98.5%) of residents and scavengers had appreciable knowledge of the hazards they were exposed to from the dumpsite. About 90% of the respondents also agreed that the major hazards were odour, fire and smoke, windblown litter, surface water contamination, insects and rodents infestation, birds and leachate. The high mean values for the BOD (645.0 mg/L) in the Anankor river suggests that pollution of some sort has taken place in the study area. Some control programmes are in place to effectively reduce nuisances such as fire and smoke, pest, and accidents. However, in other cases such as leachate control and monitoring, surface water contamination, landfill gas, offensive odour and handling of hazardous waste, the control measures were not effective enough for the reduction of the nuisances. The poor management of the Kojokrom dump site is having a serious environmental consequence on the Kojokrom community and on the staff and workers at the dump site. It is recommended that the Assembly finds a suitable and sizeable land to construct an engineered landfill and employs qualified personnel to work at the waste management department.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Usefulness and Challenges of a Mobile Health Intervention among Caregivers of Children Under-5years in Rural Communities in the Asante Akim North District.

The rapid growth in the use of mobile devices has influenced the creation of mobile Health (mhealth) interventions to contribute to healthcare development and childhood survival in underserved communities. MHealth interventions have been found to help widen healthcare coverage, and also improve on the quality of healthcare. Despite these numerous prospects of mHealth interventions in promoting health, its scale-up and sustenance, have been challenging. Many of such interventions are not able to advance beyond the pilot stage of implementation and often cover a small-targeted scope. The full benefits of mHealth therefore, have not been fully realized and utilized. The main objective of this study was to qualitatively explore the usefulness and challenges of a mHealth (IVR/toll-free call) system among caregivers of children under-5years in rural communities in the Asante Akim North District of Ghana. The study adopted an exploratory design and a qualitative approach. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 27 participants for the study. 11 In-depth interviews and 2 Focus group discussions (8 participants in a group) were conducted among participants using an interview guide and a focus group discussion guide respectively. Thematic content analysis strategy was adopted for the analysis of data in this study. The study discovered that the mHealth (IVR) system was useful in improving access to healthcare, improving communication between caregivers and health professionals, served as a decision and emotional support system to caregivers, and improved the knowledge of caregivers on selfmanagement of childhood diseases. The mHealth (IVR) system was found to be feasible and highly acceptable, and the attitude of caregivers towards the system was also found to be positive. Poor network quality and unstable electricity power supply, missed calls, dropped/cut calls, and toll-free number busy, and problems with the pressing of keys to feed information into a mHealth (IVR) system served as challenges towards the acceptance and use of the mHealth system. Among others, improved infrastructure, partnerships with community institutions and community stakeholders, and assignment of healthcare professionals to mHealth care delivery in health facilities were recommended strategies by caregivers to contribute to mHealth system sustenance, scale-up, and integration. The mHealth system implemented in the MOBCHILD project was found to be feasible and acceptable to contribute to healthcare delivery in this study. Therefore, investment in this system by Government and other funding agencies is required to sustain and scale-up, and also, integrate the mHealth (IVR) system into the broader healthcare delivery system.

Source: KNUST
Assessing total quality management practices on print projects in the Ghanaian printing industry

The Ghanaian printing industry executes several printing projects such as government textbooks, election material, packaging material year after year. Due to globalization and trade freedom, competition has been stiff in the printing sector over the years. Total Quality Management is an established mechanism of quality management for achievement in other areas of the world in the manufacturing and service industries. It has helped enhance quality, operating costs, timelines for delivery and productivity. However, its application was slow and haphazard in the Ghanaian printing sector. Therefore, the study evaluated the present state of total quality management practices on print projects in the Ghanaian printing industry using quantitative instruments complemented with qualitative instruments such as observation and unstructured main informant interview to collect information. A total of forty-two (42) questionnaires were analysed using IBM SPSS statistics version 23 to conduct reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, and Friedman's test to evaluate TQM practice and rank some TQM obstacles in the Ghanaian printing sector. It was observed that there was the presence of Total Quality Management in the printing sector with an adequate level of awareness among employees, training was carried out with specifics on “on-the-job training” however its frequency was as and when needed. Most of the printing firms had a quality policy which drives the quality agenda. Critical success variables such as supplier management, customer focus, leadership have emerged as main concepts being implemented with little emphasis on staff development, empowerment, and involvement. The major hinderances to TQM implementation were identified as Human obstacles (such as low skills, low salaries), poor planning, employee attitude towards quality and absence of leadership. However, TQM application was achieved in part owing to the absence of hard TQM components such as Statistical Process Control, continuous improvement, etc. The study adds to empirical research on the application of total quality management in the printing sector. A framework for managing the execution of Total Quality Management has been suggested

Source: KNUST
Assessing training needs of the printing industry in Kumasi

This paper assesses the training needs of the printing industry in Kumasi with the intention of establishing the specific arrears of need for skills, knowledge and attitudes training. 80% of small-and-medium scale printing presses do not have training policies, do not conduct training needs assessment and do not have long-term strategies to ensure successive upgrade and recruitment of skilled labour to meet changing needs in the industry. Questionnaires and structured interviews were used to gather data to establish the skills, knowledge and attitudes gap. It identifies the current existing levels of basic (essential) skills, core skills and operative skills possessed by workers in the prepress, press and post-press sections of the printing industry. 12 out of 38 registered printing presses in Kumasi were through simple random sampling selected for the research and 45 respondents were in total assessed. Based on both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis using charts, tables and descriptions, the gathered data was analysed. Based on existing literature and the findings of the researcher, recommendations are made to specifically the Department of Publishing Studies and all stakeholders to develop specific refresher and short-courses using a mixture of on-the-job and off-the-job training delivery methods to help upgrade prepare the industry for its international competition. Demonstration, apprenticeship mixed with lectures, discussions, and job-rotation are identified to be most effective methods of delivering training in the industry

Source: KNUST
Assessing training as a tool for employee commitment: a case study of some selected health insurance schemes.

Training has become important to companies seeking to gain competitive advantage over others in this modern era. The purpose of training is to enable the trainee to acquire relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes towards effective performance. The purpose of the study was to assess training as a tool for employee commitment at some selected Health Insurance Schemes in the Brong Ahafo Region. The quantitative research design was adopted for the study. A total of one hundred and twenty–two respondents made up of staff and management were drawn from three National Health Insurance Schemes in the Brong Ahafo Region. The study made use of primary data gathered with the structured questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in analysing responses from the questionnaire distributed and presented as frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, correlation, and regression. The study revealed that, training had a statistically significant effect on employees’ perception of organizational support. Perceived organizational support also has a statistically significant effect on employees’ affective commitment. However, employees’ perception of organizational support did not significantly affect employees’ continuance commitment and normative commitment. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) should institute training programmes which will include off-the-job-training to build the capacity of staff. In order for employees to have the desire to work for longer years, it is recommended that management should institute a career development policy for their staff. There should also be a clear cut policy on career progression which is spelt out in the conditions of service indicating the requirement an employee should fulfil before promotion. It is further recommended to the management of the selected schemes that training programmes should be duly evaluated to improve its effectiveness.

Source: KNUST
Assessing Total Quality Management (TQM) in the Ghanaian Construction Industry: An Exploratory Study in Kumasi.

Competition among Contractors in the Construction Industry has increased as Ghana maintains her middle-income status. To have a sustained competitive edge, successful industries know that quality management is the key to competing successfully. Recognizing that quality is the key to competition, Total Quality Management (TQM) was introduced in the construction industry in developed countries as a philosophy and a culture to improve productivity and quality. However, developing countries such as Ghana are slow in adopting TQM in the Construction Industry. Therefore, the level of quality in local Ghanaian construction firms is low as compared to international construction firms operating in Ghana. This research assessed the Construction Quality management practices in the country and compared with the principles of TQM. In addition a framework was proposed to guide construction firms in adopting TQM. In order to know the quality management practices, questionnaires were administered to project managers, supervisors and construction professionals such as architects and engineers in construction companies in Kumasi to ascertain their perception of quality and their management practices. Data analysis revealed that Inspection and Quality Control was the predominant Quality Management practice in Ghana. The TQM critical success factors rated in order of importance were process management, continuous improvement, employee satisfaction/empowerment, supplier chain management, customer focus, management / leadership commitment and training. iv To enable the implementation of TQM, a framework has been proposed to guide management and this call for a radical cultural change that will transform the construction industry in Ghana. This research has made a significant contribution to quality management practice in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. It has helped to unearth the basic principles needed in improving competitiveness in Ghana. In this twenty-first century, Total Quality Management and not Inspection and Quality Control should be the way forward to make the construction industry more effective and efficient. Further proposed recommendations include (1) Quality Management practices in relation to Customer and Employee Satisfaction, (2) the maintenance of a well-trained workforce to improve overall performance and total quality and (3) A Study on Supplier Selection Issues in Construction Supply Chain Management and its effect on Quality.

Source: KNUST
Assessing transmission of lymphatic filariasis using mosquitoes in communities with at least five rounds of mass drug administration in Ghana

There has been a critical question of when to stop Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in lymphatic filariasis (LF) endemic communities. After at least five (5) rounds of MDA with ivermectin and albendazole, it is expected that microfilaraemia should reach a minimum threshold in the human population such that the vectors (predominantly Anopheles gambiae) may not be able to pick up microfilaria during a blood meal. Using Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSC), mosquitoes were sampled from Ayensuako, Gyaahadze, and Mankrong communities located in Awutu/Senya, Efutu Municipal and Agona East Municipal districts respectively, all in the Central Region of Ghana where more than 5 rounds of MDA had been done. All mosquitoes caught were morphologically identified and dissected for infection with W. bancrofti and the cibarial armature examined for the various species. A total of 550 mosquitoes were collected. Distribution of mosquitoes in these endemic communities was predominantly An. gambiae s.l. – 462/550 (84.0%). The proportion of other mosquitoes species were An. funestus 9/550 (1.6%), An. pharoensis 1/550 (0.2%), Culex sp. 57/550 (10.4%), and Mansonia sp., 21/550 (3.8%). For all samples, microscopy was negative for LF parasites. In Anopheles mosquitoes the cibarial teeth of the Anopheles sp. (average of 15 cibarial teeth (12-19; p = 0.002)) were significantly less than those observed (under the compound microscope) in the Culex sp. (average of 26 cibarial teeth (20-34; p = 0.002)). Although the numbers of mosquitoes collected were low due to the period of collection, the results compared to similar studies in the same region of Ghana indicate that MDA in this area has possibly led to elimination of transmission due to low worm load in the mosquito vectors. There is, however, residual transmission in some of the endemic communities that had participated in at least five rounds of MDA. The impact of this observation and the analysis of the cibarial armature for the different species as discussed shows that elimination in endemic communities would be realized within the stipulated timelines, 2020, if MDA is combined with vector management.

Source: KNUST
Assessing treasury bills performance in the monetary policy of Ghana

There is little doubt that the rates of growth of the money supply and the level and structure of interest rates have important implications for the successful operation of the macro-economy. Therefore it is expected that these variables will be of relevance to the government’s economic policy position. The precise significance attached to monetary variables will, of course, depend upon the government’s belief about how the macro-economy operates and upon its broad economic philosophy. But nevertheless, it is likely that at some stage the authorities will wish to influence the money supply or the level and structure of interest rates for policy purposes. To do this authorities fall on instruments such as instruments of market intervention (i.e. Open Market Operations, and the manipulation of the central bank’s discount rate.) Open market operations involve the central bank in buying and selling securities in the open market. Though it is generally agreed that these operations work best in countries where there is a well- developed financial system, and a large and widely held outstanding national debt, this study helps assess its performance in a developing country like Ghana where the government uses it as a tool for financing its projects instead of using it for monetary management purposes. The study therefore sought to find out the extent to which Treasury bills aid monetary management in Ghana, to improve monetary management with the use of Treasury bills and to find ways by which the government will be able to improve the monetary management of the economy with the money borrowed through treasury bills. The study covered treasury bills (with its corresponding discount rates) issued at the primary auction, which involves all institutions dealing in treasury bills transactions for the period 1998-2003. Inflation rates, Money supply, Interest rates of Commercial banks, Loans/advances and Deposits of selected banks for the same period were analysed using Correlation. The results however showed that, changes in the discount rates of treasury bills does not affect the volume of sales of treasury bills, treasury bills do not influence money supply of the country, treasury bills has an influence on the rate of inflation though not too significant, treasury bills has no influence on the interest rates of commercial banks, banks credit creation ability is not influenced by sales of treasury bills and finally treasury bills do not in any way reduce the bank’s ability to give out loans and advances.

Source: KNUST
Assessing value for money in procurement processes: the case study of microfinance and small loans centre (MASLOC), Accra.

This study examined Value for Money (VFM) in procurement processes in a state agency like the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) office in Accra, Ghana. Monetary worth also referred to as VFM emanates from best possible laid down of procuring logistics vis-a-vis the costs of contracts and supplies state agencies including MASLOC usually embarks upon. Processes of procuring logistics are such that it involves discretionary decision-taking by people in position of trust on behalf of government at the various levels of governance. Ensuring monetary worth in processes of procuring logistics are thus not an alternative of merchandise due to the lowest bid price but a choice based on the whole costs of contracts awarded. Nonetheless, issues of sole sourcing which defies several provisions in processes leading to procuring logistics act (Public Procurement Act) have become a key feature in public sector including Accra Metropolitan MASLOC office. The study examined whether MASLOC complies with the legal framework of the processes of procuring logistics, assessed the determinants of value for money, identified the challenges facing MASLOC and suggesting recommendations to make sure that monetary worth in processes of procuring logistics are achieved in good time. The major instruments for data were questionnaire and interview. As a result of stratified sampling technique, a sample size of 100 respondents was selected for data collection resulting in challenges such as insufficient capable workers in the unit for procuring logistics as well as insufficient remedies for keeping an eye on the guiding principle for procuring logistics so as to make sure that monetary worth is attained. The study found that the legal framework of procurement processes was complied with by MASLOC by designing its policy on value for money and linking its budgets to procurement process. Also, MASLOC liaised with procurement authority for the timely and required procurement information and applied with openness in the choice of contractors. However,MASLOC was faced with challenges of inappropriate bidding process, accountability and transparency. There were suggestions to the effect that procurement watchdog should be established in partnership with MASLOC for observance of the laid down rules by putting thorough inspection of the guiding principles in order to make sure that VFM is achieved.

Source: KNUST
Assessing ways of improving procurement practices for effective infrastructure delivery by Ghana Highway Authority

Procurement is when an organization identifies a need and decides on its procurement requirement and extend to the ultimate disposal of property at the end of its useful life. Studies have shown that whiles procurement provides an opportunity for state institutions to use resources judiciously, numerous challenges still bedevils its existence. Generally, there are numerous public outcries that state institutions misappropriate public funds during the provision of social services in Ghana. This study therefore endeavoured to find possible remedies to existing problems associated with procurement practices meted out by Ghana Highway Authority. The purpose of this study was to assess ways of improving procurement practices for effective infrastructure delivery by Ghana Highway Authority. It was also aimed at unearthing existing procurement practices in the authority as well as the various challenges confronting them. To achieve this goal, there was an extensive review of literature to understand the existing study on procurement practices, challenges and ways of improving them. Seventy-eight (78) questionnaires were administered to various respondents in Ghana Highway Authority. This consisted of 7 each to all the regional offices and 8 to the head office. It was observed that except for the practice of e-procurement, respondents agreed that all identified procurement practices were meted out in GHA. The study identified the consideration of threshold, complexity and the urgent need of a procurement item as the most ranked procurement practice in GHA. On the other hand, political interference, delay in release of funds and corruption were agreed by respondents as the most ranked challenges facing the authority in their procurement activities. Notwithstanding these challenges, various ways of improving procurement practice in GHA were identified. Less government interference, adoption of a well-structured electronic system that inculcate all procurement activities and clearly defined procurement plan covering all procurement items wereiv identified as the most ranked ways of ensuring proper procurement practice in Ghana Highway Authority. Politicians and the government were entreated to draw their road sector policies and projects ahead of time for inclusion in the Authority’s Long-Term Development Plan in order to ensure consistency with laid down objectives. There was the need for the authority to also fast track the adoption and implementation of the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) which can facilitate effective and efficient procurement practice in the authority

Source: KNUST