Government Of Ghana Research Articles

The Quest for Industrialisation and Development in Ghana: Pathways for Accessible and Equitable University and Higher Education

In recent decades, Ghana has made great strides in developing higher education, which has transformed lives, reduced poverty, and boosted prosperity. Equity and access to higher education have sparked one of the most highly charged debates of the past decade. Thus, scholars and researchers have tried to gain a better understanding of Ghana's higher education development from a variety of perspectives. In today’s world, tertiary education is an important concept that contributes to national development and economic growth. Ghana’s higher education has achieved tremendous growth in various areas including, increased access and participation, a growing private sector, a transformative policy environment, and expansion of academic facilities. However, in the development of higher education, barriers to access, inequalities in access to quality education, and unequal participation among women and minorities persist. Therefore, Ghana lags behind in innovation, industrialization, and national development, despite commendable progress in higher education. In this regard, this study answered four questions. (1) What is the significance of enhanced access and equity to higher education and university education to innovation and industrialization in Ghana? (2) What is the extent to which policies have made it possible to ensure access and equity to higher education in Ghana? (3) What are the factors compromising access to the higher education system in Ghana? (4) What are the possible options for addressing equity and access challenges in higher education? A qualitative research approach, entailing analysis of documents and publications was conducted. The documentary review provided a quick way of coming up with the research findings. Particular attention was on examining the relevance of enhanced access to higher education in Ghana’s developmental needs. The data were analysed thematically, with the findings presented in line with the research questions. The study showed that universities’ role comes into action as a basic resource with their human assets and research institutions capable of producing knowledge, creativity, and innovation represented in researchers, research centres, and scientific departments. Universities are considered a resource of economic development and the most important inputs of production processes for the knowledge-based economy in this century. Education policy points out that higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular, by the progressive introduction of free education. Access is compromised by a number of factors, including brain drain, resource inadequacies, and delays in decision-making. The study recommended that the government of Ghana should create a good environment for industrial growth through the provision of funds to universities for research and development. Furthermore, many organizations need to work to close the gaps as a way to achieve education equity. There is also a need for the universities to develop and promote a programmatic approach to research and innovation for the generation of knowledge, products, goods, and services that respond to the needs of industry, commerce, and society by conducting consultative workshops with relevant stakeholders. Keywords: Access, Equity, Higher Education, Industrialisation, Innovation; National Development DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-24-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

An Analysis of Corporate Governance and the Performance of Rural Banks in the Upper West Region, Ghana

The study used the mixed research design in examining corporate governance and rural bank performance in Ghana's Upper West Region. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in the study. A sample size of 48 participants, composed of Bank CEOs/Managers, Board Members, Human Resource Managers, Heads of Administration and Senior Staff of four Banks was used. Questionnaires and interview guides were used for data collection. Data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study found that ownership concentration, audit quality, and board independence are important factors in good corporate governance and are influenced by business size, leverage, and board size, with a P-value of 0.073<0.1. It was also found that good corporate governance proxy by CEO duality, board independence, ownership concentration and audit quality have a substantial impact on rural bank performance. However, with a P-value>0.1, it was discovered that CEO duality has a detrimental impact on excellent corporate governance. Corporate governance challenges the banks face include clients’ default in repaying loans, inappropriate corporate governance practices, high operational costs of the banks and board members’ incompetence and perpetuation in office. The study concluded that corporate governance significantly affects the functioning of rural banks in the Upper West Region. The study recommended a reduction in the tenure of office of directors, putting in place appropriate rules and guidelines for the operations of the boards and ensuring effective checks and balances on the activities of the boards by way of ensuring effective corporate governance practices. Keywords: Corporate, Governance, Performance, Rural Banks, Upper West Region DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-16-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

Using signalling theory to assess the Government of Ghana's risk communication during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundThe proliferation of information through social media and on other communication networks during the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era altered information transfer in many countries. The content of the messages from government officials, media coverage and alternative narratives, affected the level of compliance in adhering to the various health protocols amongst the public.AimThis article aimed to determine the relationship between the message used, media coverage, alternative narratives, the public’s attitude towards staying at home and their commitment to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic campaign period in Ghana.SettingA total of 352 respondents was sampled from the Kumasi metropolis.MethodsA survey sample strategy and a convenience sampling technique were used while structural equation modelling with Partial least square (PLS) version 3.0 was used for the analysis.ResultsThe study revealed that the nature of media coverage employed and the alternative narratives had a significant positive effect on the attitude of the respondents, whilst the content of the message had insignificant effects on the attitude of the public. Finally, the attitude of the people had a significant positive influence on their respective commitment to stay home.ConclusionDeveloping countries in Africa need to fight pandemics using purely subsidised health officials or directorates rather than have government-appointed health experts and officials spearheading activities during a pandemic.ContributionThis study contributes to the clear understanding on some COVID-19 misinformation, the distinctive cost it poses to public health delivery in developing economies and the potential strategy of using neutral public health persons to curb the spread of the virus.

Cyberterrorism Using Smart Phones

The explosive expansion of smart phones causes massive information security breaches. Smart phones are tempting targets and elements for attackers due to their popularity and lax security [6]. Government of Ghana should make a determined effort to promote youth awareness and foster patriotism. Multi-agency counter-cyber operations and techniques should also be included in a nation-wide strategy curtail this menace. This paper seeks to explore cyberterrorism using smart phones and counter measures in Ghana.

Children's lives in an era of school closures: Exploring the implications of COVID-19 for child labour in Ghana.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared COVID‐19 a global pandemic. Subsequently, governments worldwide implemented strict regimes of lockdowns and school closures to contain the transmission of the virus. Ghana's government on 15 March 2020 also announced a lockdown and closure of schools, lasting up till January 2021. Against this backdrop, the paper examined the implications of school closures on child labour in Ghana. Qualitative data for the study were collected between October 2020 to February 2021 in a small rural community in northern Ghana. Findings from 16 semi‐structured interviews with schoolchildren aged 8–13 years show how school closures have meant that children from contexts of poverty: (a) are driven into child labour as they are either forced to accompany their parents to work on farms or sell foodstuff by the roadside; and thus, ultimately (b) engage in no learning during the lockdown period.

Network governance and renewable energy transition in sub-Saharan Africa: Contextual evidence from Ghana

With a focus on renewable energy to achieve low-carbon transition objectives, there is a greater demand for effective collaborative strategies for planning, strategic decision mechanisms, and long-term policy designs to steer the transitions. Government agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and individual citizens play an important role in sustainable energy production. In Ghana, however, such collaboration is fragile in the fight against climate change. This current study seeks to re-examine the position or potential of network governance in Ghana's renewable energy transition. The study adopted a qualitative approach and employed semi-structured interviews for data gathering. To explore network governance and low carbon transitions in Ghana, we examine key themes such as political environment and impact, actor cooperation and stakeholder interactions, financing and the transition, market design and renewable energy integration, existing regulation and policy gaps for renewable energy transition, clean cooking accessibility, and affordability. The findings reveal the following; Lack of comprehensive consultations with relevant stakeholders leads to lower acceptance of the policy model and sometimes lack of policy awareness. Again, the unavailability and affordability of renewable energy technologies and access to credit facilities is a significant hurdle to long-term renewable transition. Ghana's renewable energy transitions require strong networking and interaction among the public, private, and non-governmental organizations. The study participants believe that the involvement of relevant energy experts and stakeholders devoid of any political biases is instrumental in accelerating renewable energy transitions, as emphasized in the proposed framework. The study recommends that the national renewable energy transition plan be evident to all stakeholders and political administrators. Such policy may encourage renewable energy investment through stable and fixed lending rates by the financial institutions and build a network with international organizations and corporations. These findings could serve as valuable information for the transition-based energy process, primarily aiming to govern sustainability changes through network governance.

Qualitative inquiry into kete weaving as a developing culture in the Akatsi district

In Ghana, Kente or Kete weaving is known to be done predominantly in areas of Bonwire, Ashanti Region and Agotime, Volta Region however the art is gradually gaining prominence in other communities in the Volta Region. This paper investigates and documents Kete weaving as a developing culture within the Akatsi District in the Volta Region of Ghana through a qualitative inquiry. The study focused on the history, production and marketing of the art using narrative and descriptive designs and thematic analysis approaches. Using the purposive sampling method, a total of 20 respondents constituting elders, weavers and cloth sellers participated in the study. The study found that the origin of Kete weaving has no roots in the Akatsi District however the art is fast growing as an occupation among the male youth in the district whereas the females, both young and old en.gage in trading the woven fabric and its accessories. Sadly, the future of this occupation is blurred as the ingenious weavers are faced with challenges including a lack of capital and infrastructure to industrialise their craft. Through the findings, this paper establishes that the art of Kete weaving in the Akatsi District is a fertile industry that when expanded and sustained can help create more jobs, thus reducing the poverty rate and improving the standard of living. The Commission for Technical and Vocational Educational Training (CTVET) needs to provide the weavers with additional training on creativity for a wider market target. It is recommended that the Government of Ghana through the Akatsi District Assembly provide infrastructure and financial support for the weavers. Private investors within the fashion industry are entreated to extend their business acumen towards the weavers for expansion.

Integrated AHP-TOPSIS under a Fuzzy Environment for the Selection of Waste-To-Energy Technologies in Ghana: A Performance Analysis and Socio-Enviro-Economic Feasibility Study.

Energy recovery from waste presents a promising alternative for several countries, including Ghana, which has struggled with unsustainable waste treatment methods and an inadequate power supply for several decades. The current study adopts a comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making approach for the selection of an optimal waste-to-energy (WtE) technology for implementation in Ghana. Four WtE technologies are evaluated against twelve selection criteria. An integrated AHP-fuzzy TOPSIS method is applied to estimate the criteria’s weights and rank the WtE alternatives. From the AHP results, technical criteria obtained the highest priority weight, while social criteria emerged as the least important in the selection process. The overall ranking order of WtE technologies obtained by fuzzy TOPSIS is as follows: anaerobic digestion > gasification > pyrolysis > plasma gasification. The sensitivity analysis indicates highly consistent and sturdy results regarding the optimal selection. This study recommends adopting a hybrid system of anaerobic digestion and gasification technologies, as this offers a well-balanced system under all of the evaluation criteria compared to the standalone systems. The results of the current study may help the government of Ghana and other prospective investors select a suitable WtE technology, and could serve as an index system for future WtE research in Ghana.

The level and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ghana.

ObjectiveAs part of the efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Ghana has received several shipments of approved vaccines, and administration has begun in the country. Studies examining the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Ghana were mostly conducted before the vaccination exercise. Vaccine acceptance decisions however vary with time and hence, peoples’ decisions may have changed once vaccines became accessible. This study examines the level and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among adult Ghanaians during the vaccination exercise.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional online survey involving Ghanaian adults (18 years and above) eligible to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The study was conducted from 18th May 2021 to 14th July 2021 and the questionnaire was answered by 362 respondents. Snowball sampling technique was utilized to obtain the respondents. Probit regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.Key findingsOnly 62.7% of the respondents indicated that they will accept the COVID-19 vaccine if provided. The regression results revealed that the decision to accept the COVID-19 vaccine was influenced by occupation, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and attitudes towards the vaccines.ConclusionThe findings suggest that government must implement strategies to enhance positive attitudes toward vaccines, increase the risk perception of contracting the virus and also educate the populace about the benefits of the vaccine.

Demographic disparities in unimproved drinking water and sanitation in Ghana: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThe government of Ghana has targeted universal access to safe drinking water by 2025 and elimination of open defecation by year 2030. This study explored the use of unimproved drinking...

Reconsidering the Abolition of Capital Punishment in Ghana

The human rights argument for the abolishment of the death penalty has been firmly established in modern times in both practical terms and in the academic circles. Today, most countries have abolished the death penalty for various reasons, all of which are based on human rights. This paper is a contribution to the numerous studies calling for the abolition of the death penalty in various countries. Aside from discussing relevant international instruments (and other national instruments and judicial decisions) relevant to abolishing the death penalty, it focuses on issues concerning the death penalty in Ghana. The primary aim of this paper is to make a recommendation to both the executive and legislative arms of the Ghana government to abolish the death penalty.

The short-term effect of the government of Ghana’s decision to open borders at the early-onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) are used in public health to mitigate the risk and impact of epidemics or pandemics in the absence of medical or pharmaceutical solutions. Prior to the release of vaccines, COVID-19 control solely depended on NPIs. The Government of Ghana after assessing early NPIs introduced at the early stage of the pandemic began to ease some restrictions by the opening of international borders with isolation and quarantine measures enforced. It was argued by some experts that this was a hasty decision. In this study, we assessed the impact of the opening of borders to ascertain if this action caused a surge or otherwise in cases in the country. Using data from the database on Africa’s records of COVID-19 from the John Hopkins University, the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) time-series regression model for count data was applied to study effects in Ghana during a 4-month and 8-month period post-opening of borders. The study showed that after the decision of the government to open international borders, Ghana's expected case count declined by 72.01% in the 4-month period and 54.44% in the 8-month period. This gives an indication of the gradual reversal of the gains made due to the early implementation of NPIs. Notably, this may not only be attributed to the opening of borders but the relaxation of the strict enforcement measures that were put in place at the onset of the pandemic in Ghana. There is therefore the need for continuous enforcement of intervention measures to reduce case counts, particularly with the emergence of new COVID-19 virus strains. The study provides some recommendations for policy and improvements in model building such as developing better data collection system in Ghana, investigating more control variables, estimating the decaying effect of interventions, and ensuring better preparations prior to easing of public health restrictions.

Electrification Planner for Ghana Using Open-Source Web GIS

Energy system planning provides information, such as electrification rate and access, essential to match demand and supply of energy. As countries strive to rapidly grow their economies and increase the living standards of its citizens, energy planning system is essential to keep track of assets, accessibility, adequacy, availability, and distribution of energy resources across locations targeted for development. In Ghana, the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP) was mandated to provide up to 100 % electrification rate to the citizens by 2020. While this time has elapsed, public information system showing the spatial distribution and statistical analysis of electrification rate and access in communities and local administrative areas remain scanty. Such decision support system, which can inform energy investment decisions and policy formulation by local and international investors is not readily available, impeding on the Government of Ghana’s (GOG) electrification expansion efforts. It also hinders the nation in attaining the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a decision support system on electrification rate in Ghana. The study used energy access data and open-sourced Geographical Information System (GIS) to map the spatial distribution and provide statistical analysis of electrification rate in the country. The resulting information was connected to a WebGIS that can provide access to query, manipulate, and visualize electrification rate in the counting. The developed system estimated that, presently, Ghana has an electrification rate of 85.16 % as of November 2020. This information, and the system in general, will aid decision makers to make swift decision and provide geospatial evidence-based report in achieving 100 % electrification rate in the country.

The Effects of Proper Inventory Management on the Profitability of SMEs

A business must have or be able to generate enough cash and cash equivalent to meet its short-term liabilities if it is to continue and grow in business. Therefore, working capital management which helps an entity to, efficiently and effectively control current assets and liabilities is a key factor in the company’s long-term success; without working capital, the non- current assets will not function. The greater the extent to which current assets exceed current liability, the more solvent or liquid a company is likely to be. This paper observes the relationship between working capital management practices of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the performance and profitability of these businesses in the Kumasi Metropolis , to evaluate inflows and outflows of inventory to determine the rate at which certain goods are purchased in relation to others. This practice will also help ascertain seasons and times during which certain products experience higher demand and vice versa. This will reduce their over and/or under investment in inventories. The implication of the findings is that the government of Ghana should pursue policies aimed at encouraging training and improving the managerial skills of SME owner/managers as well as creating the enabling environment for the development of improved modern technologies to transform the business processes of these vital industries.

Examining the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan in Ghana through a governmentality lens

Over the past decade, the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan has emerged as a key global initiative in addressing deforestation and forest degradation. Yet, there is considerable scholarly debate and disagreement about the impact of FLEGT on forest governance, and ultimately, its effectiveness in arresting deforestation and degradation. This article contributes to this debate through a detailed examination of FLEGT in the case of Ghana. It applies a governmentality analytical lens that examines practices of problematization, knowledge production, intervention and subjectification. The article builds on a detailed review of the substantial literature on FLEGT in Ghana, the first timber producing country to enter into a voluntary partnership agreement with the EU. The article illustrates how FLEGT frames illegal logging as the central problem, and how this focus relegates other problems – especially those concerning tree tenure and benefit sharing – to secondary positions. This goes hand in hand with production of knowledge that stabilizes illegal logging as the key problem and provides legitimacy to the FLEGT implementation. The article then examines the many interventions which FLEGT has triggered. On the positive side, it has enhanced consultation and participation of private sector and civil society in forest governance, as well as increased forest sector transparency. Despite its stipulated aims, FLEGT has been less successful in nurturing deeper forest governance reforms that could provide incentives for agents in the sector to engage actively in forest conservation and cultivation of trees. FLEGT focuses on technical issues and challenges, failing to address inherently political issues concerning forest and tree tenure. It maintains local populations living in and close to the forest as passive subjects with limited rights to the forest or influence over its management. The article concludes that to achieve its aims, FLEGT needs to move away from its current technical focus and colonial forest governance model to seriously address issues of tree tenure, benefit sharing and access. It discusses what is required for such a change to take place, and more generally, what a governmentality lens has to offer political ecology.

Teachers’ Knowledge in the Implementation of Social Studies lessons in the Classroom: Formative Assessment Practices

The purpose of the study was to examine Social Studies teachers’ knowledge in the implementation of Social Studies lessons in formative assessment practices in Asante Akim North Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study employed both descriptive and interpretative techniques. The population for the study consisted of all Social Studies teachers and students in the Senior High Schools in the Asante Akim North Municipality of the Ashanti Region. Purposive, convenient and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the schools, teachers and students for the study in all, seventeen (17) Social Studies teachers and fifty (50) students were selected from six (6) Senior High Schools. The main instrument for data collection observation, interview and focus group discussion. The study revealed that not lessons presented were in line with the general objective of the subject (Social Studies). This affected the students understanding of concepts in the subject in helping them to right wrong their decision making. The study also indicates that teaching and learning Social Studies should not be one-man affair, with the teacher doing all the talking and the students doing all the listening. It is recommended that Ghana Education Service should organise workshops and in-service training for Social Studies teachers at the Senior High School level on how to present and evaluate social Studies lessons in order to realise the goals and objectives envisaged for national development. It is also recommended that teachers who have the exposure of the subject and are equally qualified to teach it at the Senior High Schools but are found teaching at the basic level, should be allowed by the Ghana Education Service to teach the subjects at the Senior High School level. The Government of Ghana should make it a laid down policy for the recruitment of qualified Social Studies teachers to teach at the Senior High School (SHS) level for effective assessment in the classroom.

Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: An Assessment of Solar Energy Adoption among SMEs in the City of Accra, Ghana

Energy demand continues to drive sustainable development in all countries of the world. As Ghana is accelerating her transition to a low carbon economy, this paper aims to investigate the nature, opportunities and challenges of the solar energy market in the City of Accra. This paper used a qualitative inquiry approach to investigate the solar energy market development in Accra. The Ghana Government’s policy framework for achieving sustainable energy in the country as well as the emerging opportunities and barriers relating to market development of this energy sub-sector in Accra are analysed. The paper found that inadequate institutional and service-provider’s financial support, after-sales technical support, limited consumer credit facilities, a dearth of public education and general awareness among the public about solar energy technology remain important barriers to solar energy development in Accra. In addition, the Net Metering policy dissonance constitutes a critical barrier to solar energy transition and market development in the city. In conclusion, government programming and increasing industrial sector participation will provide a vital catalyst for the development of the solar energy sub-sector and market in Accra.

Participation of chiefs in decentralised local governance in Ghana

This article examines the lack of participation of chiefs in Ghana’s decentralised local governance. After analysing data from interviews with 280 respondents, personal observations and relevant literature, the study found that chiefs are core members of neither Ghana’s district assemblies (DAs) nor their subsidiary structures, and have no formal role in local development. Chiefs’ formal exclusion from the current local government system has been attributed to the idea that the chieftaincy institution is at variance with democratic decentralisation. Also, the protracted communal conflicts that have devastated many communities, and the disputes, accusations of fraud and litigation which have characterised land sales and acquisitions in the country, have their roots in chieftaincy rivalries. Nevertheless, given that chieftaincy is entrenched in Ghanaian society, chiefs’ closeness and familiarity with rural people in their area, and their cooperation with DA members to aid the performance of the DAs (albeit with some challenges), the study concludes there is a need to re-examine the current decentralisation policy to enable chiefs’ participation. Options proposed include reserving for chiefs the 30% of DA seats currently nominated by the president; appointing paramount chiefs as ceremonial heads of the DAs with the right of address; or ceding some of the non-representation functions of elected DA members to chiefs in order to support local democracy and development.

Women Empowerment and Political Participation in Ghana

There is a growing recognition of the key role that women play in the economic and social development of a country. The empowerment of women has become an integral part of us. Therefore, we need to understand the processes through which we can ensure their empowerment and political participation. First of all, this study critically examines the socio-cultural problems that serve as barriers to women empowerment and the concrete policies and programs needed to nip them in the bud. As a result of this, the study also analyses the government of Ghana's policies and programs aimed at empowering women. These were designed and executed according to the political settlements approach. The study, therefore, examines this approach and uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze them. In the end, data analysis will prove that these policies were successful in ensuring Women empowerment and political participation

Understanding policy framework for slum governance in a developing country

PurposeSlum discourse has attracted significant research interest among scholars. The study examined the policy framework for slum governance in Ghana with the goal of offering recommendations to structure slum management.Design/methodology/approachAnchored on exploratory qualitative methodology, the study utilized a purposive sampling technique to select 18 respondents from the major ministries for in-depth interviews.FindingsThe results showed an absence of a central national policy for slum governance because slums development has received less national priority. It also revealed a lack of coordination among the sector ministries in policy formulation, which tends to create a blame game among them. Further, it was found that slum programs are driven by media-political and non-governmental actors.Research limitations/implicationsThe conclusion and the outcome of this study cannot be generalized as to represent the whole ministries in Ghana in the space of slums management due to the qualitative approach. A recommendation is offered for the creation of a separate authority to take charge of the slums in Ghana.Practical implicationsThis study elucidates a context-specific understanding of the policy framework for slum governance, which tends to shape public knowledge and policy landscape.Originality/valueAs a novelty, the findings of the study advanced the sparse literature in the domain and, at the same time, helped politicians and policymakers understand the need for a dedicated policy for slums.