ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Corruption and democracy as inextricable bed-fellows: a critical reading of money galore and a man of the people

Corruption is particularly associated with multiparty democratic governance practices in Africa. Although the phenomenon of corruption can be traced to every human society, irrespective of race or colour, it appears more pronounced in Africa than elsewhere. Africa’s underdevelopment is largely attributable to the impact of corruption in the public sphere. The President of the Republic of Ghana in a recent speech described corruption as “Massmurder”. It is significant to note that all the military interventions which truncated democratic governance from the 24th February, 1966 Coup d’Etat which overthrew Ghana’s first Republican Constitution under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to the 31St December one that ended the reign of Dr. Hilla Liman, were justified attempts to fight the cancer of corruption. The competitive nature of multiparty democracy and the so-called ‘winner-take all’ syndrome, coupled with the fervent desire of individuals or groups of people to capture and control the public sphere and resources of their countries, provide the driving motivation for corruption. This paper examines the various parameters of corruption and democratic politics in Amu Djoleto’s Money Galore and Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People so as to lay bare the intricacies of the existing relationship between the two phenomena, and how difficult it is to eradicate the former without annihilating the latter. It points out the fact that corruption is an integral component of democratic governance practices. Any successful fight against it can only be predicated on a drastic socio-cultural transformation driven by a concerted education towards this end. The study is posited in the theoretical framework of Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) of Van Dijk (2000)

Source: UCC
Corruption and democracy as inextricable bed-fellows: a critical reading of money galore and a man of the people

Corruption is particularly associated with multiparty democratic governance practices in Africa. Although the phenomenon of corruption can be traced to every human society, irrespective of race or colour, it appears more pronounced in Africa than elsewhere. Africa’s underdevelopment is largely attributable to the impact of corruption in the public sphere. The President of the Republic of Ghana in a recent speech described corruption as “Mass murder”. It is significant to note that all the military interventions which truncated democratic governance from the 24th February, 1966 Coup d’Etat which overthrew Ghana’s first Republican Constitution under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to the 31st December one that ended the reign of Dr. Hilla Liman, were justified attempts to fight the cancer of corruption. The competitive nature of multiparty democracy and the so-called ‘winner-take all’ syndrome, coupled with the fervent desire of individuals or groups of people to capture and control the public sphere and resources of their countries, provide the driving motivation for corruption. This paper examines the various parameters of corruption and democratic politics in Amu Djoleto’s Money Galore and Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People so as to lay bare the intricacies of the existing relationship between the two phenomena, and how difficult it is to eradicate the former without annihilating the latter. It points out the fact that corruption is an integral component of democratic governance practices. Any successful fight against it can only be predicated on a drastic socio-cultural transformation driven by a concerted education towards this end. The study is posited in the theoretical framework of Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) of Van Dijk (2000)

Source: UCC
Corruption in the wake of high religiosity in Ghana: Questioning the possibility

Statistically, 71.2% of Ghanaians profess Christianity, 17.6% profess Islam, and 5.2% are African Traditional adherents. Given the statistical index above, one expects to see corrupt free practices in the country. Yet, the opposite case exists. Using the descriptive research design of qualitative study, this paper explores some of the possibilities that have accounted for the wake of corruption in Ghana in spite of high religiosity, numerous Christian churches and religious institutions in the country. The paper argues that many churches in Ghana focus on prosperity and wealth of their members which could lead to corruption; poverty abounds, and there exists a moral failure that pertains to the consciousness and conscience of majority of Ghanaians on corrupt practices. In that regard, this paper recommends that every religious and non-religious Ghanaian should eschew from corrupt practices and be advocates for zero tolerance of corruption

Source: UCC
Corruption perception, media reportage of corruption, religiosity and tax compliance in Ghana

The study investigated corruption perception, media reportage of corruption, religiosity and tax compliance in Ghana. The study was conceived on the premise that Ghana continues to face tax revenue bottlenecks arising from low tax compliance. This poor tax revenue has continued to negatively affect government budgets, programs and projects and contributed to the growing public debt. Quantitative analytical techniques and survey design were followed in this study. The research philosophy for this study was positivism. Primary data were collected and used for the study. A multi-stage sampling technique with proportionate allocation was employed to select a sample size of 887. Out of the 887 questionnaires administered, 755 were received and coded. The data were analysed with partial least square-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The investigation established that corruption inhibits voluntary tax compliance but could still augment enforced tax compliance through coercion and threat of sanctions. The study demonstrated that media framing could shape tax compliance behaviour amid corruption perception. It was also established that highly religious tax payers honour their tax obligation voluntarily amidst corruption perception. It is recommended that both tax administrators (Ghana Revenue Authority) and the political class should develop and effectively implement an anti-corruption framework including „name and shame‟, and „transparency in the asset declaration‟ through media coverage. Government should partner with both the media and religious bodies to develop positive tax compliance culture.

Source: UCC
Corruption, Institutional Environment and Fiscal Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa

Many Sub-Saharan African governments have struggled to achieve fiscal sustainability. Empirical literature argued that corruption impedes efforts to achieve fiscal sustainability. Moreover, there is evidence in the literature that corruption will be more widespread and severe in achieving fiscal sustainability in economies with poor institutional environments. The study investigated moderation of institutional environment between corruption and fiscal sustainability in SSA countries by utilizing system Generalised Method of Moment estimation technique and 39 SSA countries. According to the study, a weak institutional environment exacerbates the effect of corruption on the fiscal sustainability of Sub-Saharan African economies. Consequently, SSA should countries implement efforts to strengthen their institutional framework in order to reduce high levels of corruption and achieve fiscal sustainability. Corruption can be addressed in order to promote fiscal sustainability through improving government performance, eliminating corruption, improving regulatory quality, adhering to the rule of law, and providing for voice and accountability. Also, improved institutional environment will have a positive influence on fiscal sustainability.

Source: UCC
Cost Control and Growth of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Ghana: the Moderating Role of Pricing Strategy

ABSTRACT Growth in the manufacturing sector of Ghana has been sluggish due to the recent hikes in input prices. However, manufacturing firms’ growth, mainly, depends on their ability to maximize and sustain profit. Hence, many of these manufacturing firms may attempt to achieve this objective through the management of their cost structure and the adaptation of better pricing methods. Therefore, this study determined the effect of cost control on the growth of manufacturing firms in Ghana being moderated by pricing strategy. In achieving this, Levene’s test and two-step system dynamic General Method of Moments (GMM) model were used to analyse the panel data for a period of 10 years from 2012 to 2021. The study revealed no statistically significant difference in the level of cost control of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana. Additionally, the findings from the regression analysis indicated that cost control dimensions have statistically significant relationship with firm growth. Even though the competitive-based pricing strategy and customer-value based pricing strategy were weak in influencing cost control dimensions to affect firm growth, cost-based pricing strategy had statistically strong interaction effect on cost control (dimensions) and firm growth. The study concluded that pricing strategy significantly moderate cost control and firm growth (proxied as changes in total sales) and not return on equity as a proxy for firm growth. It was therefore recommended that management of manufacturing firms’ policies should be channelled to controlling cost and eliminating wastage in all dimensions. The study also recommended that manufacturing firms’ management must focus on cost-based pricing strategy to enable cost control to highly influence firm growth in the Ghanaian manufacturing industry.

Source: UCC
Cost Control and Growth of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Ghana: the Moderating Role of Pricing Strategy

Growth in the manufacturing sector of Ghana has been sluggish due to the recent hikes in input prices. However, manufacturing firms‘ growth, mainly, depends on their ability to maximize and sustain profit. Hence, many of these manufacturing firms may attempt to achieve this objective through the management of their cost structure and the adaptation of better pricing methods. Therefore, this study determined the effect of cost control on the growth of manufacturing firms in Ghana being moderated by pricing strategy. In achieving this, Levene‘s test and two-step system dynamic General Method of Moments (GMM) model were used to analyse the panel data for a period of 10 years from 2012 to 2021. The study revealed no statistically significant difference in the level of cost control of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana. Additionally, the findings from the regression analysis indicated that cost control dimensions have statistically significant relationship with firm growth. Even though the competitive-based pricing strategy and customer-value based pricing strategy were weak in influencing cost control dimensions to affect firm growth, cost-based pricing strategy had statistically strong interaction effect on cost control (dimensions) and firm growth. The study concluded that pricing strategy significantly moderate cost control and firm growth (proxied as changes in total sales) and not return on equity as a proxy for firm growth. It was therefore recommended that management of manufacturing firms‘ policies should be channelled to controlling cost and eliminating wastage in all dimensions. The study also recommended that manufacturing firms‘ management must focus on cost-based pricing strategy to enable cost control to highly influence firm growth in the Ghanaian manufacturing industry.

Source: UCC
Cost effective profiling of neodymium-doped vanadate laser pulses

As environmental conditions and component degradation and failure are known to affect the performance of ultrafast lasers, it is important to monitor their state in any nonlinear optical study. This may be achieved by measuring the temporal width of the laser pulses using an autocorrelator. In this work, an autocorrelator for measuring the pulsewidth of mode-locked lasers was custom-built using pieces of equipment usually found in a typical ultrafast optics laboratory. The assembled equipment was tested using SESAM (Saturable Semiconductor Absorber Mirror) mode-locked neodymium-doped vanadate (Nd:YVO4) laser having manufacturer specified average output power of 1.6 W and 10 ps pulsewidth. Using the background-free autocorrelation technique, the pulse width of the laser was measured to be 10.4 ps. This type of autocorrelator is cost effective and may be handy in situations where research funds are limited; a scenario commonly experienced in research laboratories of developing countries. Additionally, the processes involved in assembling the autocorrelator provide a useful learning experience for new researchers. The study also outlined the processes involved in modifying an existing autocorrelation setup in order to measure laser beam spot size; a useful parameter in nonlinear optical studies

Source: UCC
Cost efficiency, competition and bank profitability in Ghana: The role of economic and financial freedom

Ghanaian banking industry has experienced significant reforms in the quest to ensure efficiency and full openness to competition. This is eventually expected to stimulate profits of banks and increased economic and financial freedom is expected to play a significant role in such relationship. To this end, the study explored the linkage between bank cost efficiency, competition level of the market, and the profitability of banks in Ghana in the presences of economic and financial freedom. Using a panel data from 22 banks in Ghana over the period 2009 to 2018, it was observed that the cost efficiency of banks in Ghana is between 60% to 70% implying that banks have capability of reducing their costs up to 40% to 30%. Shadow return on equity was found to be positive except after 2016 when it became negative reflecting evidence of increased capital ratio. Also, the loan market was seen to be most competitive. Finally, it was observed that concentrated market has a detrimental effect on bank profit but efficient market has positive impact. In addition, both financial freedom and economic freedom show a positive impact on bank profits. In the presence of increased economic and financial freedom, competition tends to positively impact profits. It was recommended that domestic banks could mimic the cost efficiency practices of their foreign counterpart. Also, policymakers and regulators should be cautious in implementing recapitalisation programme by comparing the benefit gained from increased capital adequacy ratio with the associated impacts on the banks. Again, government should enhance freedom in the financial sector in terms of banking transactions and businesses banks can undertake.

Source: UCC
Cost implications of computer networking in senior high schools in Kumasi metropolis

The study sought to investigate which Local Area Network (LAN) equipment were affordable to Senior High Schools in Ghana and if some of these equipment were already available for LAN formation. The study also attempted to establish how knowledgeable were users of the LAN with respect to the cost of setting up, the annual cost of operation, and amount of money provided by stakeholders and donor agencies for funding the local area network. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. Thirty-eight Senior High Schools and 228 research participants were purposively selected from the Kumasi metropolis. The questionnaire was the main instrument and was composed of 36 items. Other sources of data were through the internet, daily news print and journals at libraries. The return rate of questionnaires was 88% or 201 of the 228. The findings revealed that most hardware equipment and internet connectivity devices were affordable to the schools. This ranged from server computers to LCD projectors and wireless routers. Vacuum cleaner as an optional equipment was the least affordable. Also, most schools were not aware of Ghana Education Service (GES) procurement rules on ICT equipment and services. The study noted that ICT equipment, also known as hardware and software infrastructure and services required for Local Area Network set up and operation were affordable, and most of these equipment were available to the Senior High Schools in Kumasi. The recommendations made include the adoption of policy guidelines that empower Senior High Schools in Kumasi to generate more funds. These funds should be meant for the establishments of well-equipped Local Area Networks.

Source: UCC
Cost of basic education and its implications on human resource development

This study researches into the effect of cost of basic education on human resource development in the Teshie Township. Specifically, the study sought to examine the relevance of basic education to human resource development, what motivates parents to send their children to school, the effect of cost of basic education on access to basic education and implication of cost of basic education on human resource development. Data for the study was collected from eighty nine (89) parents/guardians, fifty four (54) teachers, seventy (70) pupils and two (2) circuit supervisors using both closed and open ended questionnaires. The study found among others that there is great awareness among parents of the importance of basic education in a child's development, expected returns on investment is a motivation for sending a child to school. Also, factors found to influence access to quality basic education include: educational and income levels, level of awareness of the importance of education and the ability to afford quality tuition. The study concludes that quality of human resource depends greatly on quality basic education. It is therefore recommended that basic education should be made totally free for the benefit of the whole society. However, in offering free basic education its quality should not be compromised for quantity.

Source: UCC
Cost of the Medical Management and Prescription Pattern for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) in Ghana–A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study from three Referral Facilities

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, and treatment involves considerable cost to stakeholders in healthcare. However, there is infrequent availability of cost information and patterns of management, especially in developing countries. This study determined the cost of the medical management of POAG, adherence, and pattern of medication prescription in Ghana. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study involving 891 Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) cases seen in the year 2012 at three referral facilities. Demographics, ocular history, resource consumption, medication, test, surgery and other related cost were extracted from 84 patients who had fully complied with their treatment to calculate total cost (TC) based on 2012 estimates. Glaucoma drugs prescribed to patients who had adhered to all their review visits within the period evident from case folders were recorded and analysed for the prescription pattern. Results: Out of 891 POAG cases seen in 2012, 351(39.4 %) attended all the required review visits, but only 84 (9.4) had fully and continually adhered to all their treatment regimes. They comprised 41(48.8 %) males and 43(51.2 %) females with a mean age of 65 ± 14.8. Majority of the respondents were elderly above 60 year of age (65.5 %). The total estimated cost for the 84 cases in the year was GH¢ 81,237 ($40,619), comprising GH¢ 72,193 ($36,097) direct medication cost and GH¢9,045 ($4,523) direct non-medication cost (surgery and test cost), and an average of GH¢ 967 ($484) for a mean visit of 5.6 ± 1.1 in the year. A total of 673 glaucoma medications had been prescribed for 351 patients for the year, with timolol being the most prescribed (64.19 %) and monotherapy as the most adopted form of therapy (61.06 %). Age and income showed concurrent increase with cost (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Cost of managing glaucoma constitutes a substantial financial burden and influenced the pattern of medication prescription.

Source: UCC
Cost-based and effective human-machine based data deduplication model in entity reconciliation

In real world, databases often have several records representing the same entity and these duplicates have no common key, thus making deduplication difficult. Machine-based and crowdsourcing techniques were dis jointly used in improving quality in data deduplication. Crowdsourcing were used for solving tasks that the machine-based algorithms were not good at. Though, the crowds, compared with machines, provided relatively more accurate results, both platforms were slow in execution and hence expensive to implement. In this paper, a hybrid human machine system was proposed where machines were firstly used on the data set before the humans were further used to identify potential duplicates. We performed experiments using three benchmark datasets; paper, restaurant and product datasets. Our algorithm was compared with some existing techniques and our approach outperformed some methods by achieving a high accuracy of deduplication and good deduplication efficiency while incurring low crowdsourcing costs

Source: UCC
Cost-benefit analysis of fecal sludge treatment interventions in Ghana

This paper provides an overview of excreta management processes across Ghana, both currently and from a historical perspective. We also conduct a cost-benefit analysis of several faecal sludge treatment technologies that could be deployed on a large scale across the country. The paper shows that all technologies examined – comprehensive treatment facilities, advanced stabilization ponds and resource recovery plants – would provide significant benefits with the potential to avoid 2-4 million cases of diarrhea and 300-600 associated deaths in the first year depending on the scale of implementation. Using cost data sourced from field investigations, we estimate the benefit-cost ratios for the investments between 3 and 6. These results are built on a number of assumptions and parameters, such as the reduction in disease and the ongoing operational profile of plants, the evidence for which is imprecise. Sensitivity analyses that account for some of this uncertainty show that benefits are still likely to exceed costs with a wider range between 2 an

Source: UCC