ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessing the prospects of venture capital finance in Ghana, the views and perception of SMEs in the Greater Accra Region

During the past few years of the introduction of venture capital finance in Ghana, there has been some pessimism towards its prospects. The introduction of this form of finance was made possible to provide finance in the form of equity or debt or combination of both debt and equity to grow and develop SMEs in the country. Venture capital focuses on enterprises that can generate high-growth and become at least regional, if not global, players providing employment to a large number of workers both n the local and international environment. This report aimed to solicit the views and perception of some selected SMEs in the Greater Accra Region with respect to the prospects of venture capital finance in the country. The findings of the project are interesting and promising for Ghana. Based on the views and perception of some SMEs in Greater Accra, it was found out that some of the SMEs do not know what the VC firms have which can benefit them so more education should be done on this form of finance. It also came up that the activities of these VC firms are concentrated mainly in Greater Accra Region and should be spread to other parts of the country for SMEs in other regions to benefit immensely. Again, it was found out that even though most of the SMEs see venture capital finance as the solution to their financial problems, they are not willing to partner this VC firms to grow their businesses. Overall, the findings of the project suggest that the future of venture capital finance in Ghana looks so bright and could be sustained if the government creates the enabling environment for the industry to grow. Some of the recent African and European success stories in VC finance provide some further evidence supporting this conclusion

Source: KNUST
Assessing the prevalence and risk factors of neural tube defects at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi

Neural tube defect (NTD) is caused by folic acid deficiency, hereditary, lifestyle, environmental factors and chromosomal abnormalities, and among others it is a remarkable public health burden. However, the documented Ghana health literature is devoid of research studies on prevalence and causes of NTD in Kumasi Metropolis. This study therefore assessed the prevalence and risk factors of NTD at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi. The participants in this study were mothers of both live babies with and without NTDs born between the period of January, 2012 to December, 2016. The study collected both primary and secondary data from 65 mothers of babies born with NTD and 65 mothers of babies born without NTD at the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) of KATH. The secondary data were collected from the medical records of the babies with NTD and their mothers while primary data were collected through administration of structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed quantitatively with the help of SPSS version 21.0. The study found out that the prevalence of NTD at KATH was 2.63 per 1000. The commonest type of NTD diagnosed was Meningocele. As mothers advanced in age the likelihood of neural tube defects significantly decreases. Mothers in urban communities had significantly less likelihood to give birth to babies with neural tube defects than mothers in rural communities. Single mothers had higher likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects than married mothers. Mothers with lower educational level had higher likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects. Folic acid intake before pregnancy (one year before pregnancy) reduced the likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects. Mothers in the test group were diagnosed of anaemia and eclampsia more than mothers in the controlled group. Gestational diabetic mothers exposed to smoke from firewood and anemic mothers living in dusty environment had highly significant likelihood of giving birth to babies with NTD. Pregnant women should be educated on nutrition and healthy life style at healthcare facilities as part of their antenatal. Pregnant women should also be made aware of their risk factors to help them know how to interact with the environment to prevent the occurrence of NTDs. Ministry of Health should further embark on massive folic acid intake education to help reduce the occurrence of NTDs.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the quality of health care delivery in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality: Clients’ perception and an audit of care

Background: Client satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of health care and ascertaining their views remain essential to assessing the quality of health care provided. The objective of this study was to determine clients' perceptions of the quality of health care delivery, and to conduct an audit of selected health facilities in Ejisu – Juaben Municipality. Methodology: This was an analytical cross sectional study conducted in six purposively-selected private and public health facilities in the Ejisu Juaben Municipality, over a period of three months using structured pre-tested questionnaire and a check list. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-squared test and continuous variables compared using percentages frequencies. Factors associated with clients’ choice of orthodox health facilities as the first point of call were examined using regression analysis with robust error variance to estimate crude and adjusted relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant Result: Overall, 400 clients seeking care were recruited from the selected health facilities together with 12 unit and facility heads. Majority (80%) of respondents in both public and private facilities were satisfied with the quality of healthcare they received, and perceived the quality of care in the municipality to be generally good. Clients who were younger than 20 years old (adjusted RR 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.52), Christians (adjusted RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.04-1.36) and those who had registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (adjusted RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.02-1.36) were more likely to visit orthodox health facilities as the first point of call. Using service quality attributes, most respondents (range 71- 83%) assessed the quality of care to be good. The audit revealed that most of the facilities had the basic infrastructure and equipment, and provided the required basic clinical care and services. Although the public health facilities had relatively more trained health care providers, monitoring and supervision were better in the private health facilities. Conclusion: Generally, the quality of health care delivery was perceived to be high. Private health care facilities should be encouraged to recruit more trained health care providers while monitoring and supervision in the public facilities are improved upon.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the procedure for acquisition of building permit for infrastructure development in Ghana: A case study of the Ashanti Region.

The Local Governance Act, 2016, Act 936 section 91(I) mandates every citizen of Ghana who intends to build to obtain building permit from the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. Besides, the National Building Regulations, 1996, L.I.1630 regulation 2 also makes it clear how building permit could be obtained from a district planning authority. Thus, these laws make it compulsory for every private developer to seek for building permit before he/she starts to build. However, there is a paucity of studies on the procedure and challenged faced for acquisition of building permit for infrastructure development in Ghana especially in the Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The aim of the study was to assess the process of building permit acquisition towards recommendation for improvement in the application process. This study employed a cross sectional design with quantitative strands of research. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 131 staffs from eleven (11) MMDAs in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Structured questionnaires in a close ended format was used as the main research instrument. Data were analyzed using mean, percentages and frequencies as analytical frameworks. The study found that the current process of building permit acquisition include land acquisition, land registration, and confirmation of title, preparation of building design, purchase, submission of application forms among others. Delay, high cost of fees, bureaucratic were the main challenges associated with the acquisition of building permits for infrastructural development. The study also found that educating the public about the important associated with the permit system, reduction of the bureaucratic nature of the process, reduction in the duration for acquiring building permits among others as the measures that can be put in place to solve the current challenges associated with the building permit acquisition. In order to promote the effectiveness of the building permit system and to ensure sustainable development of the cities especially, the current system should be redesigned by integrating all the agencies involved in the building permit acquisition process to a central database management system.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Quality of Honey in the Tema Metropolis of Ghana

Honey, a valuable commodity accepted and used worldwide, is vulnerable to adulteration. Currently, very little information on the quality of honey have been reported in the country. The study seeks to reveal the physicochemical properties, such as viscosity, moisture, fructose, glucose and sucrose contents of honey in the Tema metropolis of Ghana and compare them to the maximum and minimum limits set by Codex and EU standards. In all 20 samples were analysed for their viscosity, moisture, sum of fructose and glucose and sucrose contents using standard methods. From the study, the mean values of moisture content, sum of fructose and glucose content, sucrose content and viscosity were 17.28%, 67.44%, 6.39% and 6,575.89cP respectively. This reveals that the mean values for moisture content and sum of fructose and glucose content were within the acceptable limits of 20% maximum and 60% minimum respectively of Codex and EU standards. However, the mean value of sucrose content exceeded the maximum limit of 5% set by Codex and EU standards. The study showed that the moisture content was inversely proportional to the viscosity of samples investigated.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the relationship between capital structure and profitability of industries represented on Ghana Stock Exchange market

This study investigates the relationship between capital structure and profitability of industries represented on Ghana Stock Exchange Market covering nine -year period (2005-2013). The study adopted the panel data methodology to examine the effects of capital structure on the profitability of twenty selected firms (financial and non-financial). The linear regression technique was used as an estimation technique for the study. Financial statements of the selected firms were also used to extract data for the study. Ratios such as return on assets, return on equity and net profit margin were used as indicators for determining the profitability of the firm. Short-term debt, long-term debt and total debt ratios were also used as indicators for leverage of the firms. The result identified that 64% of the total capital of listed firms in Ghana is made up of debts. Of this, 54% constitutes short-term debts while 10% is made up of long-term debts. This indicates that the listed Ghanaian firms are highly leveraged firms and also shows the importance of short-term debts over long- term debts in financing firms (financial and non- financial). The correlation and regression results showed insignificantly negative association between leverage and profitability. This implies that, during the period under study, leverage did not bring about profitability. However, the financial market needs to be improved to reduce cost of short-term debts or encourage internal financing since short- term debt was positively related to profitability. Furthermore, size of listed firms in Ghana revealed mixed result for the study period. On the other hand, growth, indicate a significant positive relationship with profitability.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the quality of design and contract documentation and its impact on construction projects performance in Northern Ghana.

Building construction projects in Ghana’s construction industry are facing many quality issues most especially with design and contract documentation. The main purpose of this study was to assess the quality of design and contract documentation, and the impact it has on the performance of construction projects in Northern Ghana. A questionnaire survey was performed on 85 respondents (40 Consultants, 25 Clients, and 20 Contractors), 52 responses were received representing 61.2% response rate, and 96.15% of these respondents acknowledged there were indeed deficiencies in design and contract documentation. The data were analyzed using Relative Importance Index (RII) and Kendall’s concordance testing. Majority believed that consultants were mostly responsible for this problem followed by clients. A conclusion was drawn based on the data analysis that, out of the 40 factors, these were the critical factors that bring about design and documentation deficiencies. They are: the selection of designers on the basis of lowest price selection strategy (Lowest bid approach), the unwillingness to pay fees commensurate with the design of high-quality services, the last minute changes by the client, insufficient design reviews with relevant parties, the slow payments system for design services, and the insufficient and missing input information from the client. It was also concluded that the following affected the time and cost performance of public construction projects in Northern Ghana which are in order of the degree of severity: Projects abandonment, Delays (Time overrun), Cost overrun, Payment claims, and Variation/Change orders. Recommended to the Clients and Consultants to help in the prevention of design and contract documentation deficiencies in construction projects in Northern Ghana are the following strategies. These are: Clients must ensure that consultancy fees are proportionate to the required service quality, Consultants should make sure there is an adequate review of design and documentation with all stakeholders involved, and Clients must ensure that the selection of consultants is on meritorious grounds. And the rest are Prompt changes should be tolerated if the need be, Ensuring timely and regular payments for design service providers and that Clients must make sure that briefs are adequate, clear, precise and concise

Source: KNUST
Assessing the relationship between interest rate, exchange rate and stock price in Ghana.

As countries work closely to encourage financial inclusion among its citizens, the capital and money markets are two most important components to achieving this aim. For countries to attain high economic growth, a well-functioning financial market is important in bridging the development gap between developed and emerging economies. This role of contributing to economic growth and financial development of both emerging and advanced economies is very critical for the mobilization of domestic and foreign capital. Many economists believe that macroeconomic indicators such as exchange rate, inflation, interest rate and money supply are linked to the returns on capital market. With the government of Ghana and central bank working tirelessly to ensure price stability, low levels of interest rate and a stable exchange rate in Ghana calls for critical analysis of how these variables will affect stock prices in Ghana. The study examined the relationship between interest rate, exchange rate and stock prices using quarterly data spanning from 2000 to 2016. Using Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) it was revealed that exchange rate has both negative and positive effect on stock prices in Ghana which has an overall statistical significance in the short run. Interest rate also has a net positive effect on stock prices in the short run in Ghana. In the long run, a 1 percent increase in exchange rate increases stock prices by 0.27 percent. While a percentage increase in interest rate leads to a fall in stock prices by 5.03 percent. Moreover, the study showed a statistically significant positive effect of previous interest rate on current interest rate. However, it is important that the government and central bank check the exchange rate in Ghana as changes in a country’s currency affect domestic firms.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the Relationship between Outsourcing Logistics and Operational Performance of Pharmaceutical Companies in Ghana: The Moderating effect of Logistics Capability

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between outsourcing logistics and operational performance and the moderating role of logistics capability in the pharmaceutical industry. The study adopted a quantitative approach with a sample size of 100 procurement and supply chain managers from pharmaceutical firms in Ghana. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data was collected using structured questionnaires based on a 7-point Likert scale. The data was descriptively and inferentially analysed using an IBM SPSS, version 23. The study therefore revealed a significant and positive relationship between outsourcing logistics and operational performance. Again, the study also investigated the moderating effect of logistics capability on the relationship between outsourcing logistics and operational performance. However, the study showed a negative moderation effect of logistics capability in the relationship between outsourcing logistics and operational performance. In conclusion, while initial expectations were geared towards a positive moderation effect of logistics capability on the relationship between outsourcing and operational performance, the results presented a contrasting narrative. The negative moderation effect implies that organizations with robust in-house logistics capability might not gain as much from outsourcing as initially thought. Based the findings stated, the study recommended that, management should invest in developing and enhancing internal logistics capabilities to help improve in logistics processes, infrastructure, technology, and human resources. Finally, the study recommended that, future studies should explore different industries, regions, and organizational sizes to provide a broader understanding of the relationship between outsourcing logistics, logistics capability, and operational performance.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the risk factors associated with Low Birth Weight (LBW) and Mean Actual Birth Weight of Neonates: a case study of St. Martin’s Hospital, Agroyesum.

A study on some selected socio-biological and demographic determinants of mean actual birth weight and Low Birth Weight (LBW) was conducted in St Martins Hospital, Agroyesum, Ghana. Records of 221 single live births over a period of one year (1st January to 31st December 2010) were analysed. The study was aimed at gaining understanding on the determinants of LBW and mean Actual Birth weight in the study area. The data were analyzed using SAS package. Predictors of LBW were assessed through logistic regression analysis and probit regression analysis whilst that of mean actual birth weight was also assessed through multiple linear regression analysis. The factors which were significant for LBW were gestation age, age of the mother and weight gain during pregnancy and that of mean actual birth weight was gestation age whilst occupation, sex of the infant and hypertension were not significant for LBW. The results from the three models indicate that gestation age was the predictor that has an influence on birth outcome. We also conclude from the probit and logit models that gestation age, mother’s age and weight of the mother at last menstrual period (MWT) are risk factors of low birth weight.

Source: KNUST
Assessing the relationship between supply chain management practices and healthcare delivery

Many developing nations spend a lot of money on purchasing medical supplies, but an estimated 60% to 80% of their populations, particularly in rural regions, may not always have access to the most basic medical supplies. If health services are to be successful and trustworthy, frequent provision of enough volumes of relevant health commodities is essential. The goal of this study was to evaluate how healthcare institutions manage their health commodities and how that affects how well treatment is delivered. This study employed multiple methodologies. The study employed a quantitative research methodology together with descriptive and explanatory research approaches. The logistics and supply chain staff at the middle and higher management levels of all the hospitals examined made up the study's target group. To address the research questions, data from both quantitative and qualitative sources were gathered. Data were collected using both questionnaires and interviews, and both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed using spss, graphs, tables, and statistics. To choose the best sample for the investigation, convenient stratified random sampling was utilized. The study concluded that managing health commodities effectively improves and increases the efficiency of providing health services. Based on the research's conclusions, the Ghana health service now has a better understanding of logistics management and how it relates to the provision of healthcare. This study also highlights the significance of logistics management for improved healthcare service delivery by connecting these problems to service delivery. The study advises health organization leadership to spend money on efficient logistics management as a result. One of the long-term and strategic benefits of implementing good logistics management methods is better, higher-quality healthcare.

Source: KNUST
Assessing The Relationship Between Supply Chain Management Practices And Healthcare Delivery.

Many developing nations spend a lot of money on purchasing medical supplies, but an estimated 60% to 80% of their populations, particularly in rural regions, may not always have access to the most basic medical supplies. If health services are to be successful and trustworthy, frequent provision of enough volumes of relevant health commodities is essential. The goal of this study was to evaluate how healthcare institutions manage their health commodities and how that affects how well treatment is delivered. This study employed multiple methodologies. The study employed a quantitative research methodology together with descriptive and explanatory research approaches. The logistics and supply chain staff at the middle and higher management levels of all the hospitals examined made up the study's target group. To address the research questions, data from both quantitative and qualitative sources were gathered. Data were collected using both questionnaires and interviews, and both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed using SPSS, graphs, tables, and statistics. To choose the best sample for the investigation, convenient stratified random sampling was utilized. The study concluded that managing health commodities effectively improves and increases the efficiency of providing health services. Based on the research's conclusions, the Ghana Health Service now has a better understanding of logistics management and how it relates to the provision of healthcare. This study also highlights the significance of logistics management for improved healthcare service delivery by connecting these problems to service delivery. The study advises health organization leadership to spend money on efficient logistics management as a result. One of the long-term and strategic benefits of implementing good logistics management methods is better, higher-quality healthcare.

Source: KNUST