Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis Research Articles

Effects of speed hump on vehicle performance in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

Effects of speed hump on vehicle performance in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

Methods for Teaching Sewing in Junior High Schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

The study explored the views of Junior High School (JHS) teachers from Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana on methods used for teaching sewing. The research design was a descriptive survey. The study objective identified the methods for teaching sewing at the JHS. Through purposive and cluster sampling, 78 teachers were chosen for the study. A questionnaire and observation checklist was used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 was used for data analysis. Frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were generated and presented in the table. A t-test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference between methods used for teaching sewing. The study results showed that teachers used methods like project work, group activities, discussion, lectures, and demonstration. A significant difference was found in the use of field trips as a teaching method in Sekondi and Takoradi circuits. The study concluded that teachers used various methods in teaching sewing. It was recommended that teachers could add to their teaching methods by employing various methods such as field trips, fashion shows, and exhibitions in the teaching and learning of sewing to make lesson delivery more participatory, real, and interesting.

Factors Contributing to Neonatal Admissions and Outcomes at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital January to December 2015

Objectives: To investigate factors contributing to neonatal admission outcomes at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH)Method: All neonatal admissions to the Neonatal & Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the hospital that were entered into the DHIMS2 database were extracted and complemented with additional information from patients’ folder review. The data from the two sourceswere merged and analysed using SPSS version 21. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with admission outcomes, taking statistical significance as p < 0.05. ARC-GIS version 10.1 was used to describe the geospatial distribution of health facilities referring to ENRH.Setting: Neonatal & Intensive Care Unit of ENRH Participants: All neonates admitted to NICU between January and December 2015.Intervention: NoneResults: Nine Hundred and Ninety-Three out of the 1150 neonatal admissions were entered into DHIMS2. Fifty-two percent were males, 57.3% were delivered through Caesarean Section, 72% were admitted within 2 days of birth, and 56.8% had normal birth weight. Fifty- Eight percent of the neonates were delivered at the ENRH, whilst 39.9% were referred from health facilities located within Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. At 1 minute, only 14% of the neonates had normal Apgar score (8-10), and this improved to 50% at 5 minutes. The main causes of neonatal admission were birth asphyxia 21.0%, followed by prematurity 17.5%, neonatal jaundice 17.1% and neonatal sepsis 14.5%. The death rate was 18% with more than 80% of the deaths occurring during the early neonatal period. More than 80% of deaths were due to four admission diagnoses: birth asphyxia, prematurity, neonatal jaundice, neonatal sepsis. Factors associated with adverse admission outcome are: low birth weight, delivery by Caesarean Section and low Apgar score at 5 minutes.Conclusions: The institution of appropriate interventions to reduce or manage the four major causes of adverse neonatal admission outcomes will significantly reduce neonatal mortality in the hospital.

Maternal Employment and Childcare Responsibilities: Challenges and Coping Strategies of Working Mothers in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Western Region of Ghana

Women's engagement in the workforce has risen significantly and has been accompanied by greater challenges in balancing roles between paid work and childcare. This article identified the challenges confronting working mothers with children aged 0-3 years and examined how working mothers managed the challenges they encountered in the care of their children in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. A cross-sectional descriptive survey research approach was adopted. A sample of (N = 150) working mothers comprising teachers, nurses, bankers, traders, hairdressers and seamstresses were conveniently sampled from four Reproductive and Child Health Centers to complete questionnaires. Findings revealed that challenges of working mothers were time constraints, safety and security of their children at care center, mother child relationship affected due to less time spent with children and increased financial cost as a result of using alternative childcare. The areas of childcare most affected by mothers work were eating routines and time of introducing weaning foods whereas areas the least affected by mothers’ work were breastfeeding and inculcating family values in kids. To cope with the challenges of maternal employment, working mothers worked shifts, alternated work hours, enjoyed maternity leave and used alternative childcare. Challenges and constraints of working mothers influenced their decision on the use of alternative childcare and invariably determined the coping strategies adopted. An effective child care arrangement for working mothers should be institutionalized and there should be an extension of the three month maternity leave to six months to help minimize the challenges working mothers encounter.

The Influence of Imported Used-Western Woodcraft on The Woodcraft Industry in The Sekondi-Takoradi

The paper examined the influence of imported used-Western woodcraft on the woodcraft industry of Sekondi-Takoradi for better product delivery and customer satisfaction. It investigated the impact of imported used-Western woodcraft on the style, technology, and finishing adaptation for local woodcraft production in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolitan area. It also explored the hands-on skills improvement and job creation opportunities for the woodcraft artisans and professionals in Sekondi-Takoradi.The analytical method was adopted to analyze the data using a purposive sampling technique. The primary information was acquired through interviews, interaction, observation, and field surveys, while secondary information was obtained from literary sources.The results showed that woodcraft producers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis had embraced the western concepts and philosophies embedded in their International Standard Order (ISO) for the growing western taste of their prospective local patrons.The paper concludes that Sekondi-Takoradi is fortune with imported used-Western woodcrafts that have influenced the style, technology, and finishes of the locally made woodcraft. Also, the woodcraft producers in Sekondi-Takoradi have the ability to compete with their Western counterparts by adapting, replicating, and substituting foreign woodcrafts with indigenously crafted ones.

Wood Artisan Training and Job Prospects in Sekondi Takoradi -The Hope, The Helplessness, And The Hatred

The paper aimed to investigate the wood artisanal education and training designed for the youth of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and the prevailing job prospects vis-a-vis the modern technologies, tools, equipment and materials required in the (artisanal) training and manufacturing of world-class wood products. The paper found that the wood market is available to wood artisans and wood products in the Metropolis. The quantitative design approach was applied as the work was based on information obtained from wood artisans and professionals, connoisseurs, curators and wood sellers. The primary information was acquired through interaction, observation and field survey, while secondary information was obtained from literary sources. The purposive sampling technique adopted the analytical method to analyse the data.The results showed that woodcraft artisans in the Metropolis lacked the requisite education and training in modern machinery and technological know-how needed to meet the International Standard Order (ISO) and the increasing taste of the prospective woodcraft market.The paper concludes that Sekondi-Takoradi will be threatened with employable woodcraft knowledge, skills and competencies required to meet the Metropolis's woodcraft market and compete favourably with their Western and Asian counterparts.

HIV counselling and testing experiences of expectant mothers in the prevention of vertical transmission programme: implications for policy and service delivery.

Objectives:This study explored the HIV counselling and testing (HCT) experiences of women who were diagnosed positive in the current pregnancy in a district hospital within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in Ghana following the implementation of the ‘opt out’ testing policy.Methods:Adopting a qualitative explorative descriptive design, 12 mothers were sampled purposively and in-depth interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis using Colaizzi’s approach was applied to unearth the experiences of the participants.Results:Three key themes emerged: The Pre-test Counselling Experience; The Test; and After Talk: Post-test Counselling. Provider-initiated testing was offered to all the participants at antenatal booking. Most counsellors were silent about the ‘opt-out’ option of testing while pretest counselling focused on preventing vertical transmission and not on the health of the woman. Attitudes towards pretest counselling was mainly indifference or anxiety which affected the women’s initial acceptance of a positive result. All the women took a confirmatory test after the initial positive results which aided them in accepting their diagnosis. Of the women who tested, all received post-test counselling that focused on enrolling on antiretroviral therapy (ART).Conclusion:Attitudes towards pretest counselling impacts the mothers’ reaction to a positive test result. HIV counselling that does not solicit voluntary testing may be effective in increasing testing but may affect uptake of treatment. It is recommended that midwives providing HCT be trained periodically to enhance service delivery while focus on women-centred care and improving women’s agency in the prevention of vertical transmission services should be the paramount.

Determinants of uptake of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with sulfadoxine pyrimethamine in pregnancy: a cross-sectional analytical study in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana

BackgroundGhana malaria control programme recommends the uptake of five doses of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy following the review of the World Health Organization recommendations in 2012. The uptake of higher doses of SP since the implementation of the new policy in 2016, has been low across the country. The current study determined factors that can be improved to increase uptake of SP for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp-SP).MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among women who had just delivered in selected health facilities in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana. Participants were enrolled from the lying-in wards of the study facilities after delivery. Data including time of initiating antenatal care (ANC), number of visits, time of first dose of SP and number of doses were collected. ANC books were also reviewed. Logistic and ordered logistic regression analysis were done to determine respondent factors associated with uptake of IPTp-SP using Stata 15.ResultsOut of the 496 mothers who participated in the study, 370 (74.60%) initiated ANC during the first trimester, 123 (24.80%) during the second, with only three (0.60%) starting during the third trimester. Majority (463/496, 93.35%) made > 4 visits. Uptake of at least one dose of SP was 98.79% (490/496), ≥ 2 doses was 92.75 (460/496), ≥ 3 doses was 80.65% (400/496) and ≥ 4 doses was 40.32% (200/496). Uptake of IPTp 5 was very low (6.65%, 33/490).A unit increase of one ANC visit was associated with 20% higher odds of receiving 3-4 doses of SP with respect to receiving 1-2 doses (p < 0.001). The probability of receiving 5 or more doses of SP with respect to 1-2 doses was 26% higher with a unit increase of one ANC visit.ConclusionUptake of 3-4 doses and ≥ 5 doses of SP were associated with making more ANC visits. Encouraging and motivating expectant mothers to make more ANC visits can improve uptake of ≥5 doses of SP.

Exploring the perspectives of physically challenged women entrepreneurs in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

PurposeEntrepreneurship and disability are discordant because of the assumption that the former is only meant for non-disabled people. Drawing on the capability, agency/structure and social exclusion theories, this study examines the lived experiences of physically challenged women entrepreneurs in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a qualitative approach, involving in-depth interview and observation to solicit the views of six physically challenged women entrepreneurs in the Metropolis.FindingsThe study found that the physically challenged women consider themselves as women with entrepreneurial minds, capable of actualising and achieving their entrepreneurial well-being, by functioning and proving their capabilities and having the capacities to choose and act independently. The study also found that the structures (physical self, socio-economic, cultural and attitudes, etc.) that confront the women reinforce their capabilities as physically challenged women entrepreneurs. It further found that for these women, being a physically challenged woman entrepreneur demands that one should have self-belief capabilities and being high self-esteem regardless of one’s challenges.Originality/valueThe study is an original submission that makes contributions towards understanding and appreciating the perspectives and lived experiences of capable physically challenged women entrepreneurs in a developing country. There have been studies on women entrepreneurs in Ghana but not specifically on physically challenged women entrepreneurs. This study addresses that gap.

Effects of the oil-find on land management in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Western Coast of Ghana

ABSTRACT The recent oil-find at the ‘Jubilee Fields’ has impacted every sector of Ghanaian life. There is a need to understand these changes, to better manage their effects. This study investigated the dynamics surrounding land management in Sekondi-Takoradi following the oil find. Data were collected from the city in 2018 using qualitative approaches like direct observations, in-depth interviews and informal conversation. All in all, 65 informants were consulted using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. This data was analysed by listening, transcribing, coding interviews, identifying relevant information and matching results with the objectives of this study. Our findings indicate a growing demand for land which has resulted in an increase in land conflicts in the metropolis. There is, therefore, the need to revise future land use patterns and land tenure forms as well as strengthening existing institutions and legislation, among others, in a bid to achieve a sustainable city.

Stochastic Model of Waiting Time: A Case of Two Selected Banks in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

Stochastic Model of Waiting Time: A Case of Two Selected Banks in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

Financial literacy training and micro insurance on the financial performance of SMEs in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

This research examines the effect of financial literacy training and micro insurance on the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana. This study aims (i)to determine the effect of financial literacy training on the financial performance of SMEs, (ii) to establish the effect of microinsurance on the financial performance of SMEs; (iii) and to determine the moderating effect of government regulations on the relationship between financial literacy training, micro-insurance and the financial performance of SMEs. The study was based on the financial intermediation theory and Schumpeter’s theory of innovation. The study adopted an explanatory research design, using a sample size of 260 SMEs in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on financial literacy training, micro insurance, financial performance, and government regulations from SME owners and microfinance institutions. Analysis of the data collected revealed that both financial literacy training and micro-insurance had a positive and significant effect on the financial performance of SMEs. The study recommends that the management of microfinance institutions that provide financial literacy training and micro-insurance should undertake a survey on the needs of SMEs and the specific challenges they face in accessing microfinance services.

Quality assessment and potential health risk of heavy metals in leafy and non-leafy vegetables irrigated with groundwater and municipal-waste-dominated stream in the Western Region, Ghana

Vegetables cultivated in soil irrigated with untreated groundwater and municipal-waste-dominated (MWD) stream can elevate the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Zn, Hg, Cr, and Ni) in edible parts of the crop, affecting food safety and public health worldwide. This study assessed the quality, sources, and distribution of heavy metals in surface soils, MWD stream and groundwater, and edible tissues of leafy and non-leafy vegetables from a major urban farm in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana. Human health risk due to exposure to the metals in frequently consumed vegetables were investigated. Indigenous leafy vegetables (Corchorus olitorious and Amaranthus spinosus), exotic leafy vegetables (Lactuca sativa, Brassica oleracea, and Brassica rapa), and non-leafy vegetables (Capsicum annum, Raphanus sativus, Daucus carota, and Allium cepa) were collected from the urban farm. The mean concentration of Cd, Hg, and Fe ranged from 0.008 - 0.027, 0.001–0.013, and 4.517–36.178 mg/kg fw in edible parts of non-leafy vegetables, respectively and 0.011–0.035, 0.002–0.011, and 3.617–13.695 mg/kg fw in exotic or indigenous leafy vegetables. The vegetables were less impacted with the metals if compared to similar vegetables produced from other urban farms, locally and in some countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Water resource on the farm were not suitable for vegetable crop irrigation since mean concentration of E. coli (200 cfu/mL), Hg (0.009 mg/L), and Cd (0.019 mg/L) in the MWD stream and 80 % of the groundwater sources exceeded the safe limits recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Geo-accumulation index for each metal in soil was ≤0, however, enrichment factor indicated a high anthropic enriched soil for Cr and Ni. Principal component analysis-multiple linear regression of the metals in soil identified mixed household waste/fertilizer, fertilizer, and crustal material as main sources for the heavy metal load in soil for which geogenic sources accounted for 74.3 %. Preferentially, Cd and Hg accumulated in Amaranthus spinosus, Daucus carota, and Corchorus olitorious. The estimated daily intake of each metal in the vegetables were below local and international daily dietary intake levels. At the 95th percentile concentration of each metal, target hazard quotient and the hazard index was <1 for adult male or female who consume the vegetables. Finally, appropriate agri-horticultural practices must be enforced to mitigate Cd, Ni, Cr, and Hg accumulation in the soil-vegetable system since the metals have profound adverse effect on human health.

Food Package Label Reading Habits of Consumers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area in the Western Region of Ghana

Food packaging is essential in making products attractive to the consumer to propel or compel him or her to make a purchase willingly or by impulse. Not only does the colour attributes of the package induce and influence consumer purchasing habits, portability (handling) and labeling become important elements of the product's package, which consumers put into consideration before making a purchasing decision. Labeling as an important component of packaging is a legal requirement by Food and Drugs Authorities of various countries across the globe and that all products should be labeled to give the consumer certain information concerning the product. Such labeling should include mandatory, dietary, and nutritional information. These are to assist the consumer to be sure of exactly what is being bought, the product name, the content of the package, ingredients, how to use the product, date of manufacture and expiry among other things. Although these regulations are put in place to ensure consumers safety, a cursory look at consumers purchasing patterns show that a good majority of the people living in urban areas in the Western region of Ghana do not spend time reading the labels on the product before buying. The few people who read the labels mainly centred their attention on the brand name and the date of expiry. These conclusions were arrived at after observations were made in surveys involving a mall, twenty top class shops in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and other retail outlets in the region to study consumer-reading habits on food package labels.

Enhancing access to institutional financial support for small and medium enterprises in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of Ghana

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This paper discusses the factors which affect access to financial support by small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in Sekondi-Takoradi. Financial resources are crucial in the life of all businesses including SMEs. However, access to financial support comes with the problems of information asymmetry, moral hazard and adverse selection. The factors that influence access to financial support are investigated using a non-interventional cross-sectional study design. Quantitative data were collected from 303 randomly selected SMEs using interview schedules, while qualitative data, using an interview guide, were obtained from 21 institutions offering financial support to SMEs in Sekondi- Takoradi. With the use of interpretations of the qualitative data, and descriptive statistics including cross tabulations, the results showed that interest rates, collateral, guarantors and, business and financial information, and financial literacy play a role in the access of institutional financial support by SMEs.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Structural equation modeling and GIS application into non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of the phreatic aquifers of the south-western coastal basin-Ghana

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advocates the use of risk assessment together with risk management for the control of water safety in drinking water supplies. Groundwater has become important source of water supply for domestic use in Ghana. In the present study, sixty-five (65) constructed wells in the Dixcove Belt Granitoids (DBG) and Sandstone Mudstone Slate Carbonate (SMSC) geological formations of the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis were investigated for their non-carcinogenic health risk state for children (0–6 years) and adults. The hazard index (HI) method was used as a measure of public health risk. The results indicated the HI values ranged from 4.58 × 10−2 to 111 × 10−2 and 18.5 × 10−2 to 226 × 10−2 for the adult category in the SMSC and DBG respectively. For the children category the HI values were 32.9 × 10−2 to 217 × 10−2 and 39.7 × 10−2 to 403 × 10−2 respectively. On individual well basis, 2.1% and 12.5% of wells have HI > 1 for adults in the SMSC and DBG respectively. In the children category the values were 29.2% and 50% respectively. Using the mean HI values, HI 1 for children (1.01 and 1.18 SMSC and DBG respectively) indicating a potential health risk. At the 95th percentile level, children were 66.79% and 64.28% more at risk than adults in the SMSC and DBG, respectively. Structural Equation Model and Point Pattern Analysis indicated, fluoride content accounted for the greater proportion of the human health risk for both adults and children.

An Assessment of the Perceived Effectiveness of Credit Risk Management Strategies Adopted by Microfinance Institutions in the Sekondi -Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

The purpose of the study was to assess the perceived effectiveness of credit risk management strategies (CRMS) adopted by microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM), Ghana. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population was 261. The sample size for the study was 158 key staff of the various MFIs selected purposively. These key staff were credit officers, finance staff, and managers of the various MFIs. Questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.87 was the instrument used to collect the data. Descriptive statistical tools such as means and standard deviations were used to analyse the data. The findings show that there are meaningful and appropriate credit policies and procedures used by MFIs in STM. However, the effectiveness of CRMS adopted by MFIs in STM is not quite good. Also, credit control processes adopted by the MFIs are not quite adequate as expected. It was recommended that administrators of MFIs in the metropolis should enhance their respective institution’s credit policies and procedures, especially the appraisal of client process. This will create room for the institutions to have credit policies and procedures that allow the institution to identify and analyse all loss exposures, and measure such loss exposures appropriately. Keywords: Credit control process, Credit policies, Credit procedures, Credit risk management DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-6-15 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Investigating the Effects of Public Experiences of Police Corruption on Public Trust in the Police in Ghana

The trend of police corruption is actually a worldwide concern. In times gone by, the problem of police misconduct continues to be a significant element in the improvement of police institutions globally, though it's actually a larger problem in developing countries such as Ghana where police abuse as well as crisis have grown to be endemic leading to public mistrust of the police. For the real operationalization of the criminal justice system, people need to keep a specific amount of loyalty of the method. The police institution actually being one of the foundations of the criminal justice system should keep higher public trust in order to confirm sleek justice shipping. Nevertheless, public trust may solely occur once the police are actually seen to perform the tasks of theirs with fairness, professionalism as well as equity. In lighting of the deteriorated connection between the police and also the Ghanaian general public in phrases of loyalty, this particular analysis set out to look at the public encounters of police corruption and just how this impacts the degree of loyalty in the police in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region of Ghana. The empirical research evidenced that although numerous individuals in the Metropolis see the police as being corrupt, couple of respondents had immediate encounters of police corruption. Nevertheless, a lot of the respondents had vicarious or indirect happenings of police corruption which in turn are likely to affect the amount of theirs of loyalty of the police. Research suggests that, loyalty in the police is quite important as it improves the degree of public cooperation with the police as well as compliance with the law. With respect to decreasing the incidence of police corruption, the analysis suggests that, a specific oversight with the police must be made with target on the places of police recruitment as well as education, integrity and having both senior officers as well as the subordinates of theirs accountable in phrases of misconduct. Above many, there must be highly effective interaction between the public and the police to help you boost the connection as well as have confidence in amounts in between the police and the public.

Physically Challenged Persons and Selection of Fabrics: A Case Study in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

Physically Challenged Persons and Selection of Fabrics: A Case Study in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

IAS 39 and IFRS 9: Effects of Changing Accounting Standards for Financial Instruments on the Financial Asset Management of Commercial Banks in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of changing accounting standards for financial instruments on the financial asset management of commercial banks in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM), focusing on IAS 39 and IFRS 9. Descriptive research design was used. The population was branch managers and account/audit/finance staff of 13 commercial banks in the metropolis who were 91 in number. The census method was used to capture all subjects within the accessible population. Questionnaire with a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.871 was used to collect the data. Out of the 91 questionnaires administered, the researcher was able to retrieved 73 completed and accurate questionnaires from the respondents. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that requirements of IFRS 9 have been welcomed by commercial banks in STM. The replacement of accounting standards for financial instruments, from IAS 39 to IFRS 9, has moderate effect on the effectiveness of the financial asset management of the banks. It was recommended to management of the banks to ensure that branch managers, and account/audit/finance staff are abreast with IFRS 9 compliance. This will help them adapt meaningfully to the changing accounting standards for financial instruments, especially from IAS 39 to IFRS 9, in order to help manage the financial asset of the banks effectively.