ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Strategic planning, social network relationship, and performance of small and large firms in Ghana

Th‎e obj‎ectiv‎e of th‎e study was to ‎evaluat‎e th‎e strat‎egic planning, social n‎etwork r‎elationship, and p‎erformanc‎e of small and larg‎e firms in Ghana. In an ‎em‎erging ‎economy it has b‎e‎en id‎entifi‎ed that p‎erformanc‎e of firms li‎es also on th‎e social N‎etworking R‎elationship, (Acquaah, 2007; Li ‎et al., 2008; Li and Zhang, 2007; P‎eng and Luo, 2000). S‎emi-structur‎ed qu‎estionnair‎e as a tool was us‎ed in th‎e coll‎ection of data from Small and Larg‎e firms answered by their manag‎ers/own‎ers/ administrators yi‎elding to a total of 300 qu‎estionnair‎e. In th‎e m‎easur‎e and analyzing of th‎e variabl‎es th‎e m‎easur‎e through Confirmatory Factor Analysis was us‎ed in m‎easuring th‎e ‎eff‎ect of th‎e variabl‎es of strat‎egic planning, Social N‎etwork R‎elationship to th‎e p‎erformanc‎e of Small and Larg‎e firms, and to d‎et‎ermin‎e th‎e l‎ev‎el of mod‎eration. Th‎e strat‎egic planning in th‎e ar‎ea of goal s‎etting, analysis and scanning was id‎entifi‎ed as mod‎erat‎ely accurat‎e in th‎e small and larg‎e firms in Ghana. Th‎e ‎ext‎ent to which top manag‎ers of small and larg‎e firms in Ghana d‎ev‎elop and us‎e p‎ersonal and social n‎etworking r‎elationships for th‎e past thr‎e‎e y‎ears was obs‎erv‎ed to b‎e fr‎equ‎ently us‎ed. Social n‎etworking r‎elationship also has significant ‎eff‎ect on firm p‎erformanc‎e of small and larg‎e firms in Ghana. Th‎e ‎eff‎ect of th‎e small and larg‎e firm strat‎egic planning on firm p‎erformanc‎e was mod‎erat‎ed by social n‎etworking r‎elationship but statistically insignificant. In conclusion, high‎er l‎ev‎el of strat‎egic planning and social n‎etworking r‎elationship conditionally stimulat‎ed op‎erational and financial p‎erformanc‎e of small and larg‎e firms in Ghana. Th‎e manag‎ers of small and larg‎e firms should d‎ev‎elop strat‎egic plans for th‎eir busin‎ess activiti‎es. This can b‎e achi‎ev‎ed through formulation of a mission stat‎em‎ent of th‎e firm, ‎establishing obj‎ectiv‎es, crafting and impl‎em‎enting th‎e strat‎egi‎es, and monitoring and controlling th‎e progr‎ess in strat‎egy impl‎em‎entation. P‎ersonal and social n‎etworking r‎elations with communiti‎es’ stak‎ehold‎ers, gov‎ernm‎ent and busin‎ess should b‎e ‎enhanc‎ed by manag‎ers of small and larg‎e firms in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Streamlining monitoring and evaluation systems in managing social development interventions: a study of Ahafo mine area livelihood programmes.

Monitoring and Evaluation as a discipline, is increasingly recognized as an essential component in project management functions (Khalid, 2002). However, consciously or otherwise development programmes are faced with limited integration of monitoring and evaluation systems in the management functions to gauge its performance. This key planning and implementation weaknesses poses key challenges to the management functions of development programmes including livelihood programmes (Khan, 2003). The study therefore seeks to examine the extent to which monitoring and evaluation systems of development programmes adopts standard practices. The study adopted a case study approach where three livelihood programmes operating within the Asutifi District were chosen. Programme Managers, Staff, beneficiaries and key institutional stakeholders were selected as respondents for the study. The study revealed that, monitoring and evaluation systems of some livelihood programmes lacks critical tools like robust database, review and capacity building plans were found to be absent. Also it was revealed that some programmes operate without trained monitoring and evaluation practitioners. Despite these shortfalls the study affirmed that the practice of M&E influences programme decisions leading to reforms in the programme components. Also, the study identified a high level of stakeholder participation –groups and institutions supporting the implementation of the programme. It is therefore recommended for policy designs on programme monitoring and evaluation that programme managers should be obliged to include the design of a robust database for data iv capture and retrieval, review and capacity building plans in the set-up of programme monitoring and evaluation systems as the concept keeps evolving. Again, development programmes should engage the services of trained practitioners directly on programmes to coordinate the monitoring and evaluation activities of the programmes.

Source: KNUST
Streamlining monitoring and evaluation systems in managing social development interventions: a study of Ahafo mine area livelihood programmes.

ABSTRACT Monitoring and Evaluation as a discipline, is increasingly recognized as an essential component in project management functions (Khalid, 2002). However, consciously or otherwise development programmes are faced with limited integration of monitoring and evaluation systems in the management functions to gauge its performance. This key planning and implementation weaknesses poses key challenges to the management functions of development programmes including livelihood programmes (Khan, 2003). The study therefore seeks to examine the extent to which monitoring and evaluation systems of development programmes adopts standard practices. The study adopted a case study approach where three livelihood programmes operating within the Asutifi District were chosen. Programme Managers, Staff, beneficiaries and key institutional stakeholders were selected as respondents for the study. The study revealed that, monitoring and evaluation systems of some livelihood programmes lacks critical tools like robust database, review and capacity building plans were found to be absent. Also it was revealed that some programmes operate without trained monitoring and evaluation practitioners. Despite these shortfalls the study affirmed that the practice of M&E influences programme decisions leading to reforms in the programme components. Also, the study identified a high level of stakeholder participation –groups and institutions supporting the implementation of the programme. It is therefore recommended for policy designs on programme monitoring and evaluation that programme managers should be obliged to include the design of a robust database for data capture and retrieval, review and capacity building plans in the set-up of programme monitoring and evaluation systems as the concept keeps evolving. Again, development programmes should engage the services of trained practitioners directly on programmes to coordinate the monitoring and evaluation activities of the programmes.

Source: KNUST
Strength Properties of Locally Constructed Rice Bunds in the Adansi North District of Ghana

The rice industry in Ghana faces challenges of low productivity, low yield and poor grain quality, resulting in overwhelming import dependence. Rice can be cultivated all year round with bund and irrigation. Also, land originally not suitable for rice cultivation can be used when bund is considered. Successive Governments over the years launch series of flagship programs which are aimed at reducing rice imports, poverty alleviation and employment creation which many have failed. Though bunds are widely used in many countries and other parts of Ghana, the system is relatively new in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti region of Ghana. The purpose of this study is to examine the durability and soil strength properties of rice bund constructed by local farmers. Three farmer’s fields KB, FB and PB were studied to ascertain their strength properties and their durability. Four bunds were constructed on a research plot labeled RB1, RB2, RB3 and RB4. RB1 and RB4 where compacted while RB2 and RB3 where uncompacted. Laboratory test indicates that soils of RB1, RB2 and KB where classified as clay of intermediate plasticity which proved stronger than RB3, RB4, FB and PB which were clay of low plasticity. After 40 days of bund measurements, farmer field bunds reduced in height between 36 to 42 %. Research field measured that uncompacted bunds reduced in height by 34 and 40 % while compacted bunds reduced by 6 % or less. Bund compaction increases operational cost and reduces profit in the first season however, increases profit drastically in the second season. It is therefore concluded that uncompacted bunds erode faster than compacted bunds, compaction increases soil strength and bund strength is determined by soil type and level of compaction.

Source: KNUST
Strategic change and employee performance: the mediating role of human capital A case study of Anglogold Ashanti – Obuasi Gold Mine.

Th‎e r‎es‎earch aim‎ed at providing a mod‎el for d‎et‎ermining th‎e m‎ediating rol‎e of human capital in th‎e link b‎etw‎e‎en strat‎egic chang‎e and ‎employ‎e‎e p‎erformanc‎e of AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Gold Min‎e. Th‎e study propos‎ed and ‎examin‎ed human capital as a major missing m‎echanism of ‎strategic change to effect employ‎e‎e p‎erformanc‎e of the company under study. Mostly the intent of the strategic change projects of the company under study to create a new company culture and employee performance were not fully actualised. This is because the needed skills, knowledge and experience of the change agents, project team and employees were low. Using a sampl‎e of AngloGold Ashanti Ltd – Obuasi Gold Min‎e, ‎empirical ‎evid‎enc‎e was obtain‎ed which supports th‎e vi‎ew that this m‎ediating ‎eff‎ect is pr‎es‎ent. At th‎e tim‎e of study, th‎e total ‎employ‎e‎e of th‎e Obuasi Gold Min‎e was 201 and this was us‎ed as th‎e population for th‎e r‎es‎earch. Out of this population of 201, sample size of 153 w‎as used. Data was coll‎ect‎ed from diff‎er‎ent functional groups of th‎e organisation of study. Th‎e r‎es‎earch is quantitativ‎e in natur‎e and surv‎ey m‎ethod was us‎ed by utilising s‎elf-administ‎er‎ed qu‎estionnair‎e. Ordinary L‎east Squar‎e R‎egr‎ession Analysis was us‎ed for th‎e analysis. Among oth‎er t‎ests, Sob‎el t‎est was us‎ed to t‎est m‎ediation. Th‎e study indicat‎ed that th‎er‎e is a full m‎ediation of human capital on strat‎egic chang‎e and ‎employ‎e‎e p‎erformanc‎e. Th‎e findings buttr‎essed the fact that th‎e strat‎egic chang‎e and human capital have positiv‎e impact on ‎employ‎e‎e p‎erformanc‎e. Th‎e r‎esults of th‎e study pr‎es‎ent manag‎erial strat‎egi‎es which can b‎e us‎ed in organisational chang‎e to improv‎e p‎erformanc‎e. Th‎e study will ‎empow‎er th‎e organisations to know th‎e right d‎ecisions to roll out b‎efor‎e th‎ey b‎egin improv‎em‎ent proj‎ects such as chang‎e. Th‎e r‎es‎earch also adds to th‎e growing lit‎eratur‎e on strat‎egic chang‎e and human capital.

Source: KNUST
Strengthening the capacity of rural service centres for local level development: a case study of Yilo Krobo District, Eastern Region, Ghana

Governments in the developing world face a major challenge in the provision of goods and services to their people, especially those in the rural areas. Resources are scarce and development cannot take place everywhere at the same time. This has a direct impact on local level development. Most of the strategies that have been implemented in the past have not been overwhelmingly successful because, among other things, they have not been designed to solve peculiar problems experienced by specific centres, but have rather been blanket measures. Rural service centres in Yilo Krobo district experience a myriad ofproblems such as a poor economic base, inadequate infrastructure and land, and uncoordinated development. All these problems have resulted in a failure by the centres to act as engines of growth and development in the rural areas. In order to address these problems, there is a need to come up with strategies which are applicable in the context of Yilo Krobo district. Strategies discussed range from promoting both agriculture and non-agricultural enterprises, undertaking radical changes to the current land tenure system, especially as it relates to land at and near the rural service centre. Another strategy is the promotion of local public-private partnerships between the district assembly and the people living at the rural service centres. If these strategies are implemented, then the rural service centres will be able to fulfil their potential role as engines of growth within the local and national economy. This would help in propelling Ghana to achieve its goal of becoming a middle income country by 2020.

Source: KNUST
Strengthening institutional linkages to promote decentralized integrated district development - case study of Nkoranza District

One of the most important aims of the PNDCs administrative reforms of 1988 which is embodied in the Local Government Law 1988 (PNDC Law 207) was to decentralize and integrate the development planning process at the District level. It was to create autonomous units which were to be integrated at that level to promote integrated development. In order to give meaning to this integration, the Local Government Law 1988 (PNDC Law 207) decentralized twenty-two departments at the district level whose budgets were to be prepared, administered, and controlled by the district Assembly and who were to operate as staff of the district Assemblies. In spite of this legislation, evidence gathered from the Nkoranza District suggested that district level institutions remain Verticality linked to their parent ministries at the regional level and in Accra while integration at the District level continued to be weak. Taking sample size of ten District institutions, the attempt was made to identify the kind of linkages existing at the District level and its effect on the entire development process arid how this can be addressed. The main technique of data collection was through structured interviews. Results from workshops organized at the District as well as secondary data sources of information were equally utilized. The main findings of the study were that: i. Financial linkage mechanisms such as the integrated budget, which is one of the most effective means of achieving institutional integration was not in operation in the district. 2. District Departments remain tied to their parent ministries through certain vital linkage mechanisms like recruitments, training and transfer of staff, submission of reports well as financial allocation. 3. The rate of participation of District institutions in District Assembly meetings and activities is very low. 4. Informal communication links among the institutions is very weak. 5. There is the lack of a coherent planning procedure as well as methodology at the district level to promote integrated district development. 6. Legal provisions for achieving coordination are either not fully effected or not sufficiently enforced. 7. There is the lack of clear communication channels and clear definition of roles and responsibilities among institutions at the district level. 8. The lack of horizontal coordination at the district level results in duplication of functions and projects, waste of scarce resources and subsequently affects the overall development process. Recommendations to this effect included the following. 1. The use of financial controls like the integrated budget to achieve coordination. 2. The utilization of an integrated plan and certain planning methodologies to promote the integrated planning concept. 3. The upgrading of the District Planning Coordinating Unit. 4. The clear definition of roles, responsibilities and clear communication channels.

Source: KNUST
Strengthening the media: assessing the influence of the Ghanaian Media in state-building since the 4th Republic through a comparative analysis of GBC and Joy News

This research assesses the influence of the media towards state-building in Ghana since the 4th Republic and looks at ways of strengthening it to make it globally competitive. Two media houses are used in this study- GBC (Public) and Joy News (Private). 8 journalists from each media house (GBC and Joy News) were purposely selected to be interviewed while three (3) other renowned journalists from other media houses were selected to be interviewed. The interviews were analysed qualitatively. It emerged from the study that the media has been playing various roles (political, social and economic) in ensuring statebuilding. The independent variables- specialization, training, policies to govern media, research and availability of resources have been identified as measures that can be harnessed. These can lead to the following dependent variables- globally competiveness of the media, enhanced media, professionalism and high patronage. The research shows that the public media faces challenges primarily with funding and some level of influence from government. This affects its effectiveness. Aside the interviews with the journalists, 50 members of the general public were given questionnaires to provide responses. This was analysed quantitatively. The findings revealed that the general public prefers the private media to the public media citing dynamism, frequent updates, innovative and exclusive contents and independence to make government and other bodies accountable as major reasons why they prefer the private media. Most respondents (journalists and the general public) admitted that Ghanaian media is not as vibrant as other international media houses –BBC, CNN, Aljazeera and DW. In order to bridge the gap to help strengthen the industry, the study finds that, resource challenge, inaccurate reportage, biased reports, relevance of issues, sensationalism, education, training, specialization, research, creativity, enabling environment for media to thrive, policies to govern media and issues of professionalism should be critically looked at. Also, a proper framework should be put in place to resource GBC to make it independent of governmental influence.

Source: KNUST
Strike as a tool for resolving employee dissatisfaction: A case study of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)

Employee dissatisfaction arises due to issues affecting employees which are not properly addressed by management, or unfavorable management practices within an organization. When employees are dissatisfied they either leave their jobs for better opportunities, or may choose to stay and adopt certain measures to rectify their dissatisfaction. Employees with low job satisfaction can negatively affect the performance of an organization, because they clearly lack motivation, perform poorly, and pose negative attitudes. Management is usually required to find out and understand the reasons for employee dissatisfaction, and promptly find the right solutions to address them. The ripple effect on the health sector is very serious since it can lead to loss of life. The present study is therefore aimed at identifying and addressing the causes of employee dissatisfaction using Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) as a case study. The general objective of this study is to identify the causes of employee dissatisfaction and assess whether the use of strike is the best approach to be used by employees in resolving their dissatisfaction at KATH. Two hundred of both management and staff of KATH were used as the population for the study. The study relied on both primary and secondary data. Data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. The study revealed that, there were many causes of employee dissatisfaction in KATH. Remarkable among them was the inability of management of the hospital to ensure that employees have good remuneration and refusal of Managers in the organisation were not actively planning for good working conditions for staff of since workers at KATH ii were not satisfied with their current working conditions and that about 120(80%) of the workers were dissatisfied. From the above it was deduced that the employees of KATH would be satisfied if proper compensation schemes like additional duty allowances, bonuses and or fuel allowances be given to them and also on time. Majority 90(47.4%) of the employee agreed that if the above compensation schemes are implemented it would prevent employee dissatisfaction at KATH. Therefore the study recommends that effort should be put in place to resolve the employee dissatisfaction issues in KATH.

Source: KNUST
Stress and its Effects on Employees Productivity – A Case Study of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Takoradi

In today’s competitive global environment, employee productivity is an essential element of a company’s success. Employee productivity can be significantly hindered by high levels of stress experienced in the work environment. Stress is a universal element and persons from nearly every walk of life have to face stress. Employers today are critically analyzing the stress management issues that contribute to lower job performance of employees. The main aim of the study was to evaluate stress and its effect on employees’ productivity. The study was conducted at Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Takoradi. Descriptive survey was adopted as the research design. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting a sample size of 100 out of a population of 326. Questionnaires and interview was used as data collection instrument. From the results obtained, it was evident that there were many stress factors that the respondents endured, and the enquiry proved that stress had an effect on productivity. Majority of the respondents reported to work under pressure and that they feel uncared for by the organization. The fact that majority of respondents thought of leaving their job, and felt that the organization did not care about them was a reflection of huge dissatisfaction that undoubtedly lowered productivity. It was recommended that Management must conduct an analysis of the organizational mood and climate by assessing the reasons why the employees think GPHA, Takoradi does not care about its employees and what they can do to change it. It was also suggested that an Employee Assistance Programme be introduced for early identification and intervention on problems so that productivity levels do not decrease

Source: KNUST
Stroke Among Young West Africans Evidence From the SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network) Large Multisite Case–Control Study

Background and Purpose—Stroke in lower and middle-income countries affects a young and productive age group. Data on factors associated with stroke in the young are sorely lacking from lower and middle-income countries. Our objective is to characterize the nature of stroke and its risk factors among young West Africans aged <50 years old. Methods—The SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network) is a multicenter, case–control study involving 15 sites in Nigeria and Ghana. Cases included adults aged ≥18 years with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed stroke. Controls were age-and gender-matched stroke-free adults recruited from the communities in catchment areas of cases. Comprehensive evaluation for vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors was performed. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and population attributable risks with 95% confidence intervals. Results—Five hundred fifteen (24.3%) out of 2118 cases enrolled were <50 years old. Among subjects <50 years old, hemorrhagic stroke proportion was 270 (52.5%) versus 245 (47.5%) for ischemic strokes. Etiologic subtypes of ischemic strokes included large artery atherosclerosis (40.0%), small vessel disease (28.6%), cardioembolism (11.0%), and undetermined (20.4%). Hypertension (91.7%), structural lesions (3.4%), and others (4.9%) were causally associated with hemorrhagic stroke. Six topmost modifiable factors associated with stroke in descending order of population attributable risk (95% confidence interval) were hypertension: 88.7% (82.5%–94.8%), dyslipidemia: 48.2% (30.6%–65.9%), diabetes mellitus: 22.6% (18.7%–26.5%), low green vegetable consumption: 18.2% (−6.8%–43.2%), stress: 14.5% (4.9%–24.1%), and cardiac disease: 8.4% (5.8%–11.1%). Conclusions—The high and rising burden of stroke among young Africans should be curtailed via aggressive, populationwide vascular risk factor control.

Source: KNUST