Ghanaian Perspective Research Articles

Driving forces for green building technologies adoption in the construction industry: Ghanaian perspective

As a response to mitigate various negative environmental effects of the construction industry, recent years have witnessed a growing interest in green building technologies (GBTs) adoption and development. Consequently, many studies have been conducted on the forces driving the GBTs adoption in different countries. However, there have been few studies identifying the driving forces (DFs) for GBTs adoption in developing countries such as Ghana. This study aims to identify the major DFs for GBTs adoption within the developing country of Ghana. To achieve the objective, 21 DFs were identified from a comprehensive literature review. Through a questionnaire survey with 43 professionals with green building experience, the results first indicated that “setting a standard for future design and construction”, “greater energy efficiency”, “improved occupants' health and well-being”, “non-renewable resources conservation”, and “reduced whole lifecycle costs” were the top five forces driving the GBTs adoption. Further comparative analysis showed that the topmost rank of “setting a standard for future design and construction” is unique for GBTs adoption in only the developing country of Ghana, not in the developed country of the US. Additionally, factor analysis revealed that the underlying forces for the 16 significant DFs were environment-related, company-related, economy and health-related, cost and energy-related, and industry-related forces. This study improves understanding of the major DFs for GBTs adoption, providing a valuable reference for practitioners and policy makers to promote the wider adoption of GBTs. Future study will investigate the interrelationships between the significant DFs and their impacts on the GBTs adoption process. Future work is also required to employ a larger sample and investigate in greater detail the differences between the GBTs adoption DFs in Ghana and many other specific countries.

Concepts, Determinants and Household Consumption of Time Poverty: Evidence from Ghana

This paper discusses time poverty (well-being) of the individual and puts it in the Ghanaian perspective. The paper examine hours adults as well as children allocate to work. The paper measured time poverty from the Ghanaian context. Using the Ghana Living Standard Survey, round six (GLSS, 6) and employing OLS, Logit and Quantile analysis, interesting and intriguing results are presented. The paper found females (both adult and young) to be more time poor individuals and engages in household or non-paid activities than their counterpart males. The paper further found education and time poverty to be positively associated. Results suggest that traditionally, females are noted for time poor than males but as one moves up on the education ladder, the demand to work more increases. This has implication for health issues.

Transfer Pricing Abuse: the Ghanaian Perspective and the Role of the Accountant in Tax Compliance

Transfer Pricing Abuse: the Ghanaian Perspective and the Role of the Accountant in Tax Compliance Emmanuel Budu Addo, Hussein Salia, Abdallah Ali-Nakyea Abstract Advancement in global technology and international trade has facilitated the development of complex business structures within many multinational enterprises (MNEs). Though establishing MNEs has been useful for the development of their host nations such as Ghana, most have adopted aggressive tax planning schemes that enable them to shift profits from one tax jurisdiction to another using Transfer Pricing to achieve their corporate profitability objective. Many nations have been deprived of their genuine tax revenue due to these practices. Governments of these affected nations have thus resorted to introducing measures that require the support of various professionals to ensure intra-company transactions are at arm‟s length. These measures are expected to help prevent mispricing of goods and services and to stop potential tax revenue losses to the states. This paper examines how transfer pricing abuse deprives countries like Ghana of huge tax revenues. It also outlines legislative measures introduced by the government to counteract aggressive tax avoidance schemes employed by the MNEs. It further identifies Chartered Accountants as principal stakeholders, who have roles to play in ensuring effective application of and strict adherence to anti-avoidance legislation in Ghana. The paper advocates for transparency of accounting transactions to enhance compliance with Transfer Pricing regulations. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/ijat.v5n2a6

Credit risk management of Ghanaian listed banks

Purpose – The study aims to assess credit risk management practices within financial institutions in Ghana. Specifically, the study compares credit risk management practices of listed banks in Ghana with Basel II (1999). Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on data gathered from varied sources, namely, use of questionnaires, analysis of internal credit policies and procedure manuals and semi-structured interviews and discussions with credit risk managers of the selected banks in May 2007 and October 2014. Findings – Overall, the credit risk management practices within listed banks in Ghana are in line with sound practices. The only dissimilarity, however, is the role of the board of directors in defining acceptable types of loans and maximum maturities for the various types of loans. The listed banks in Ghana are also exposed to credit risks associated with granting both corporate and small business commercial loans and the use of collaterals to mitigate their credit risk exposures. Practical implications – Banks in Ghana should consider developing the skills of all their personnel and appropriately motivating those involved in the credit risk management processes to ensure that they carry out this process efficiently. Originality/value – Research into credit risk management in the banking industry from the Ghanaian perspective remains scant. This study is, therefore, timely, and its findings are invaluable for the efficient management of credit risk in the banking industry. This study provides policy recommendations which will enhance shareholder value and, in this way, contribute to greater stability in the banking sector in developing countries, in particular.

Missing Link between Quality of Work Life and Productivity of Loan Disbursement: The Ghanaian Perspective

The study examines the impact of credit officers’ Quality of Work Life (QWL) on productivity of loan disbursement in 10 selected Savings and Loans Companies in the Accra, Ghana. The study was quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical. Out of 1602 employees, 310 employees were sampled. Simple random sampling technique was used to select both companies and respondents. 92% of questionnaires were self-administered and 8% were e-mailed. The finding indicated a significant positive impact of credit officers’ QWL on productivity of loan disbursement (β= .274, p<.001).<strong> </strong>It was suggested that it will be profitable to and prudent on the part of managers not to play with the QWL of credit officers if they really want to experience an increase in loan disbursement. Also, managers’ comprehensive focus on the general happiness of credit officers by ensuring employees’ holistic well-being in the organisation will lead to productivity of loan disbursement. The study becomes the first to research on both credit officers and productivity of loan disbursement in the financial sector of Ghana.

Firm reputation and financial performance of SMEs: the Ghanaian perspective

Our paper examines the effects of firm reputation on financial performance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana by controlling for firm specific variables such as firm age, firm size, owner/manager's age, leverage and access to capital. It contributes to our knowledge on how firm reputation enhances the financial performance of SMEs in developing economies. We employed primary data from 423 SMEs within the Accra Metropolis. Standard regression analysis was used to analyse the data. We documented a significant positive association between firm reputation and firm performance, denoting that high corporate reputation by an SME enhances its performance. In addition, with the exception of firm size, there was a significant positive relationship between all the control variables and financial performance of SMEs.

Firm reputation and financial performance of SMEs: the Ghanaian perspective

Our paper examines the effects of firm reputation on financial performance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana by controlling for firm specific variables such as firm age, firm size, owner/manager's age, leverage and access to capital. It contributes to our knowledge on how firm reputation enhances the financial performance of SMEs in developing economies. We employed primary data from 423 SMEs within the Accra Metropolis. Standard regression analysis was used to analyse the data. We documented a significant positive association between firm reputation and firm performance, denoting that high corporate reputation by an SME enhances its performance. In addition, with the exception of firm size, there was a significant positive relationship between all the control variables and financial performance of SMEs.

Safeguards, financing, and employment in Chinese infrastructure projects in Africa: the case of Ghana’s Bui Dam

Chinese players are now Africa’s key partner for its infrastructure sector (including water supply projects), providing approximately two-thirds of investments since 2007. The social impacts of these engagements during the construction phase are mostly portrayed in an alarmist tone within the popular press. Meanwhile, scholarly literature investigating them remains scarce. We draw on the Bui Dam, a major dam in Ghana, financed by China Exim Bank (CEB), the largest financier of infrastructure in Africa, and constructed by Sinohydro, the largest dam developer worldwide, as a case study to explore social impacts of Chinese engagements in the African water sector. We particularly examine social safeguards policies from the perspective of Chinese players, the financing modalities, and the dam’s impacts on the local labour market. We find that social safeguards policies were not within the responsibility of Sinohydro. Furthermore, financing modalities were largely favourable from a Ghanaian perspective, comparable to World Bank conditions, partly due to the successful negotiations (from the Ghanaian standpoint) during the planning and design phase of the project. Most likely, the project would not have been implemented if CEB had not stepped in to provide funding. Lastly, we find that most workers employed during construction were Ghanaian, paid significantly above the country’s minimum wage. Nevertheless, working conditions overall were questionable. This case study highlights how Chinese engagement in construction of water infrastructure may help develop projects otherwise stuck in the planning and design phase. However, labour conditions during the construction phase of these projects need to be carefully managed.

An empirical examination of the determinants of trust in Ghana

Purpose– How trust affects political, social, and economic phenomena have been studied by scholars for many years. However, not many studies have examined what factors determine trust among people and trust in public institutions. There is particularly a dearth of research on trust in Ghana. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approach– The authors use data from the 2012 Afrobarometer Surveys to mimic four sets of variables that Alesina and La Ferrara (2002) find as significant determinants of trust – recent traumatic experiences, having been historically discriminated against, being economically unsuccessful, and living in a mixed community. The authors apply these variables to the Ghanaian context to explore how they affect generalized trust, trust in relatives, neighbors, and other people the respondent knows, as well as trust in six public institutions (i.e. The President, Parliament, Electoral Commission, Police, Army, and the Courts of Law).Findings– The authors find that trust among Ghanaians is generally low. Women are significantly less trusting of public institutions, although they do not trust people (e.g. relatives, neighbors, etc.) any less than men. Both people of the North and South are generally less trusting of public institutions compared to people of the Volta Region. The authors also find that, to a large extent, satisfaction with democracy and political affiliation are significantly correlated with trust in public institutions.Practical implications– Because trust is very crucial for political, economic, and social development, especially good governance, there is an urgent need for public policy interventions that could increase trust among Ghanaians.Originality/value– The authors provide a Ghanaian perspective on the determinants of trust.

Sharing in the life of the person with disability: A Ghanaian perspective.

This thought article was a hermeneutic inquiry into the experiences of informal caregivers of the elderly who are also physically disabled. The experiences of some Ghanaian informal caregivers were examined in three clinical cases and laced with the lived experiences of the author as an informal caregiver and clinician. Two processes were explored. The first relates to how a caregiver is changed through the experience of caregiving by examining the intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics affecting caregiving. Secondly, the positive ‘shifts’ that occurred in therapy were explored. In the present Ghanaian society it appears that care for the elderly disabled is compounded by the rapid migration of many Ghanaians to ‘greener pastures’ in search of a brighter future, with consequent empty homesteads and fragmentation of the socio-cultural practices that hitherto buttressed informal care for the aged. In the absence of well-established professional care facilities, informal caregiving with its numerous challenges has become the norm for many. This article posited that caregiver self-care is the most important, and yet often forgotten, aspect of informal caregiving. When this is neglected, caregiver burnout is sure to occur, which results in poor physical, mental and emotional health for the caregiver. In this state caregivers may injure both themselves and the care recipients.

Organizations’ commitment to and communication of CSR activities: insights from Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine organizations’ commitment and communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a developing country’s context. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed an empirical quantitative approach by surveying 193 managers from multiple organizations in Ghana, and used independent sample t-test as well as descriptive statistics to examine the phenomenon. Findings – The study established that firms operating in Ghana know about CSR and are committed to it. But the level of understanding of the concept as evidenced by their practices is limited to philanthropic activities. The study further revealed that firms operating in Ghana communicate their CSR activities to stakeholders in many forms. Additionally, organizations employ equally varied channels in communicating their CSR initiatives. Practical implications – The study contributes the Ghanaian perspective of CSR to the Sub-Sahara African literature, and by that it enhances our present understanding of the commitment and communication channels of CSR activities by companies operating in Ghana. Originality/value – Empirical Literature on CSR communication in developing countries is limited. The paucity of academic enquiry on the issue has stimulated this research, based on the perceptions of managers of firms operating in Ghana about their principles of CSR, their way to disclose these activities and the kind of CSR activities done. Further research directions are also articulated.

Innovation and marketing in Africa - a Ghanaian perspective

Innovation is a natural part of all human societies. Africans are probably more innovative than other races, if necessity is the mother of inventions, and yet have realised the least benefits from the exploitation of innovation in the performance of marketing and business activities. This paper reviews literature from various sources to throw more light on the issues and challenges that confront the exploitation of innovation and marketing in Africa. Based on the evidence given the paper suggests areas where attention need to be drawn in order to enhance Africa’s ability to exploit innovations and marketing.

Analysis of Social Cohesion in Health Data by Factor Analysis Method: The Ghanaian Perspective

We investigated the study of the overall social cohesion of Ghanaians. In this study, we considered theparamount interest of the involvement of Ghanaians in their communities, their views of other people andinstitutions, and their level of interest in both local and national politics. The factor analysis method wasemployed for analysis using R software. The incontrovertible evidence from the results showed the factors thatwere measured to enhance and promote social cohesion among Ghanaians were community, political,neighborliness, socio-cultural, confidence and security. Our results perfectectly fit our expectation in terms ofknowledge in our socio-political arena.

Policy and institutional perspectives on local economic development in Africa: The Ghanaian perspective

Local economic development involves identifying and using primarily local resources, ideas and skills to stimulate economic growth and development, with the aim of creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, and redistributing resources and opportunities to the benefit of local residents. Growth and development cannot take place in an institutional and legal vacuum. Local development and growth require an institutional and legal framework that allows development to take place in an orderly manner and in which agents know that the decisions they take and the contracts they make will be protected by law, and enforced. This paper examines the policy and institutional frameworks on local economic development in Ghana. The paper relies on desk research and secondary documents by critically examining and reviewing them. The findings show that over the years several institutions and policies have been put in place to help improve development at the local level. It is therefore important to build the local capacities and strengthen these institutions to be able to exploit local resources and to stimulate economic development at the local level. Key words: Local economic development, institutions, local government, poverty.

Managing healthcare waste in Ghana: a comparative study of public and private hospitals

The paper aims to examine the healthcare waste management practices of selected hospitals in Ghana. The study adopted a multiple case approach, using two public and two private hospitals. Findings indicate that both public hospitals and one private hospital have a waste management policy. Public and private hospitals have waste management plans and waste management teams. Public hospitals were found to generate more waste than the private hospitals. One private hospital and the public hospitals segregate their waste into different categories. This is done by first identifying the waste type and then separating non-infectious or general waste from infectious waste. Both public and private hospitals have internal storage facilities for temporarily storing the waste before they are finally disposed off-site. On-site transportation in the public hospitals is done by using wheelbarrows, while covered bins with wheels are used to transport waste on-site in the private hospitals. In public and private hospitals, off-site transportation of the hospital waste is undertaken by Municipal Assemblies with the use of trucks. Both public and private hospitals employ standard methods for disposing of healthcare waste. The article provides insights into healthcare waste management from a Ghanaian perspective.

Demand for financial services by households in Ghana

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate household financial choice and the determinants of financial services in rural and urban households in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachData from the Ghana Living Standard Survey 5 (GLSS 5) are used to estimate the participation of a household in a particular financial sector and what determines this choice.FindingsThe results from Tobit and conditional logit models account for households' demographic characteristics and their financial decisions. The Tobit estimates show that household size, age, sex, marital status, occupation, income, remittances and shocks determine households' participation in the financial markets. Conditional logit model results suggest that locational characteristics are important in obtaining financial services from particular sectors of the financial market. The results also suggest that when the alternatives of financial services are available, rural households are more likely than urban households to obtain their financial services from the informal financial sector.Originality/valueThis current study contributes to the existing literature from the Ghanaian perspective.

Risk management in the Ghanaian insurance industry

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the risk management practices of life assurance firms and non‐life insurance firms.Design/methodology/approachThrough a comparative case study methodology, the study assesses the state of risk management in both life assurance companies and non‐life insurance firms to determine whether they exhibit different or similar risk management practices. The results of the survey were also analyzed and compared to the principles of good practices in financial risk management.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed some differences and similarities in the risk management practices of life and non‐life insurance firms. Almost all the life companies have stated their risk appetite levels, which enable them to identify which risks to absorb and which ones to transfer. But non‐life insurance firms have not laid down their risk tolerance levels explicitly. The results further revealed that the industry lacks sufficient personnel with the requisite risk management skills and that the sector does not manage risks proactively, rather they do so in a reactive response to regulatory directives.Practical implicationsEffective management of risks by insurers will increase the penetration of insurance in Ghana.Social implicationsRisk management is a crucial issue, not only for the survival and profitability of the insurance industry, but also for the socio‐economic growth and development of the whole economy. As major risks underwriters, insurance companies need to adopt good practices or quality measures in the management of financial risk. This is important, more so, as the industry prepares to re‐position itself to underwrite the risks in the emerging oil and gas industry of Ghana.Originality/valueResearch into financial risk management in the insurance industry from the Ghanaian perspective is rare. This study is therefore timely and its findings are invaluable for the efficient management of financial risk in the insurance industry.

Gender and Christian Spirituality in Africa: A Ghanaian Perspective

Questions surrounding gender and Christian spirituality in Ghana generally produce answers that seek to suggest that there are no gender-based differences or problems on the issue. Yet, unlike that which can be deciphered from existing literature, other sources such as in-depth interviews on real life circumstances and a critical examination of the responses given, seem to present a different picture of the situation on the ground. This continues to bring to the fore the differences between theory and praxis, particularly on issues concerning women in Africa. Using examples from indigenous Akan and Nankani spiritualities, this article examines the nature and history of gender and Christian spirituality in Africa with excerpts from some of the works of Mercy Amba Oduyoye, the first and most renowned Ghanaian female theologian.

Internet and online shopping in an emerging economy: The Ghanaian perspective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the uses of the internet and find out whether online shopping has been adopted by Ghanaian consumers. The study also examined the relationship between internet usage and online shopping. Since its discovery, the internet technology has benefited both consumers and business; a number of researches conducted indicate its high patronage by consumers or users. Using a sample of 200 respondents, structured survey questionnaire on the internet usage and online shopping was used to collect empirical data from the Accra Metropolis. The findings suggest that the level of internet knowledge is very high and the internet is used for so many activities including e-mailing, information searching, and chatting. The study also found three types of internet users in Ghana i. e, occasional users, frequent and regular users. Adoption of online shopping on the other hand was found to be very low although respondents indicated the willingness and desire to shop online. This low patronage is attributed to a number of factors. With these findings Businesses migrating to the internet should consider other services that can be offered, and consider actual selling more strategically.

The state of the surveying profession in Africa: a Ghanaian perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which the process of becoming a surveyor in Ghana mirrors a broad conception of professionalism.Design/methodology/approachThe work is grounded in field research in the form of interviews/survey conducted by the authors in Ghana. The sample is drawn in such a way that the work benefits from the experiences of people at different levels of surveying training.FindingsThe study reveals that professional surveying training in Ghana is effective but narrow: senior surveyors do provide mentoring to probationers, but they engage in poor labour practices; probationers do obtain professional training, but many of their expectations are not met. While there are both costs and benefits to the mentors and mentees, the study finds that, on balance, the process of professionalisation is designed to favour a few owners of surveying firms.Practical implicationsIt is the intention of the authors that this work would contribute to a process of “conscientisation”. The paper provides part of the basis for young surveyors to reject being passive recipients of instruction to becoming active workers and professionals who have a deep awareness of the social reality which shapes their professional lives and understand how they can reshape that reality.Originality/valueThis research work is the first study of the state of professionalism and work conditions of surveyors in Ghana. The study sheds light on the conditions under which surveyors work and shows how professional they are. On the one hand, this study provides the opportunity for prospective surveyors in Ghana to reflect on their aspiration before embarking on that “journey”. On the other hand, it gives practising surveyors a basis for reflecting on how the profession can be improved.