Western Region Of Ghana Research Articles

The Influence of Market Competition on SMEs’ Performance in Emerging Economies: Does Process Innovation Moderate the Relationship?

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital to the economic development of emerging economies, significantly contributing to employment, innovation, and GDP growth. This study investigates the influence of market competition on SME performance in emerging economies, specifically examining the moderating role of process innovation. Using a sample of 365 SMEs in the western region of Ghana, the research employed a convenience sampling technique to gather data. The analysis utilized partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to explore the relationships between market competition, process innovation, and SME performance. The findings revealed that three direct hypotheses were supported, indicating a positive relationship between market competition and SME performance, while the moderated hypotheses were not supported. These insights provide valuable implications for SME owners, managers, and policymakers.

Potential coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) genotypes for farmers: Evaluation of agronomic traits in a lethal yellowing disease endemic zone in Ghana

A four-year study was conducted to evaluate selected vegetative and reproductive characteristics in four coconut genotypes namely: Niu Leka Dwarf (NLD), New Guinea Brown Dwarf (NGBD), Malayan Green Dwarf (MGD), Indonesian Brown Dwarf (IBD), and a hybrid between Sri Lankan Green Dwarf and Vanuatu Tall (SGDVTT), which was used as a control. The study was located at Anwea in the Western Region of Ghana, an endemic zone to the lethal yellowing disease. This experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Results showed a significant higher growth for NGBD, IBD, and NLD in stem girth, leaf length, petiole length, and number of leaflets. NGBD, IBD, and SGDVTT also recorded significantly higher reproductive characteristics. Time taken for first flowering was noticed in IBD (41.30 months). NGBD recorded the highest number of female flowers (27.80), number of spikelets with female flowers (17.20), and total number of spadix (12.50) seasonally. Significant and positive correlations were observed between the number of leaves emitted, and the number of female flowers produced in the coconut genotypes except for MGD. The highest correlation between these vegetative and reproductive characteristics was expressed in IBD while the least was observed in the MGD genotype. MGD also recorded the least number of spikelets with female flowers, suggesting that this genotype is not likely to produce high number of fruits and should not be included in future breeding programs. Low and less robust characteristics were expressed in both SGDVTT, and MGD in the growing period, which could be ascribed to the rather low number of leaflets observed in these genotypes. Conclusions from this study suggest that NGBD, IBD, and NLD are potential genotypes to be integrated into further breeding programs across coconut-growing regions in Ghana.

“In my Own Land, I Am Treated like a Foreigner”: Mining-Induced Challenges and Psychological Distress Among Farmers in Ghanaian Mining Communities

This study explored mining-induced challenges, experiences of psychological distress, and coping strategies among farmers in mining communities in Ghana. Using a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 crop farmers in two mining communities in the Ellembelle District in the Western Region of Ghana. Thematic analysis of the data suggests that psychological distress is a common experience among farmers in mining communities. Farmers’ experiences of psychological distress emanate from various mining-induced challenges, including deprivation of vital resources, constraints on farming activities, economic hardship, and adjustment difficulties associated with displacement and resettlement. Faced with limited formal support services, farmers in mining communities employ religious faith, avoidance, and adaptation as mechanisms for coping with the adverse impacts of mining. The findings of this study suggest the need to address issues related to psychological well-being before and after the onset of mining activities in communities.

Visual Documentation on Fort Metal Cross in the Western Region of Ghana: The Role of the Graphic Artists in Heritage Preservation

This study focuses on the visual documentation of Fort Metal Cross, a historical site located in the Western Region of Ghana. The aim of this study was to provide a far-reaching visual record of the fort, highlighting its historical significance, cultural value and architectural features. The qualitative case study research with visual documentation was conducted through a combination of Canon DSLR Camera with 50mm, 17mm - 35mm lens, DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone, and smartphone techniques. The research team captured high-resolution images of the fort's exterior and interior, paying close attention to its unique architectural elements, such as the bastions, cannons, and defensive walls. Additionally, diagrams were taken to showcase the fort's surroundings and provide a virtual tour experience for viewers. In addition to the visual documentation, the research delved into the historical background of Fort Metal Cross with extensive archival research to gather information on its construction, purpose, and role in the transatlantic slave trade. This historical context provided a deeper understanding of the fort's significance within the broader historical narrative of Ghana and the African continent. The finding of this research contributed to the preservation and promotion of Fort Metal Cross as a significant cultural heritage site in Ghana, fostering a greater appreciation for its historical and architectural value to showcase its colonial past and educate future generations about the struggles and triumphs of their ancestors.

A comprehensive analysis and future projection of land use and land cover dynamics in a fast-growing city: A case study of Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana

Sekondi-Takoradi is the most urbanized metropolis in the Western region of Ghana. Over the past two decades, it has experienced rapid shifts in both population density and land cover. Unfortunately, these transformations have significantly altered the natural landscape and expanded urban coverage. Previous studies have not established enough evidence on land use and land cover changes in the metropolis. For this reason, this study examined the existence, rate, and spatial distribution of land use and land cover as well as the future changes in land cover in the metropolis. Landsat imagery spanning from 1991, 2009, 2016, to 2023 provided the basis for evaluating the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and cover within the metropolis. The Random Forest Classification algorithm was employed to categorize the images into three distinct classes: water, vegetation, and built-up areas. Analysis revealed a rapid growth in built-up areas by 63.08 km² (32.91 %), accompanied by a decrease in vegetation and water coverage by 60.99 km² (31.82 %) and 2.08 km² (1.09 %) respectively. This highlights the accelerating urbanization trend, emphasizing the critical need for vigilant monitoring and controlled urban expansion to mitigate potential adverse effects. Projections for 2030 indicate further changes with water areas decreasing to 1.21 km² (0.63 %), vegetation diminishing to 95.31 km² (49.73 %), and built-up areas expanding to 95.14 km² (49.64 %). This signifies a significant shift towards built-up areas, altering the metropolis' land cover composition and potentially impeding the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11. Understanding these changes in land use and land cover holds significant value for policymakers, enabling them to effectively monitor and safeguard natural resources.

Heritage commodification: a study of Forts Metal Cross, Gross Friedrichsburg and Apollonia in the Western Region of Ghana

Heritage commodification: a study of Forts Metal Cross, Gross Friedrichsburg and Apollonia in the Western Region of Ghana

Documenting perceptions and misconceptions of shark conservation among students in Ghanaian coastal communities within the context of shark tourism

In Ghana, students have rarely been engaged in shark conservation programs. The study aimed to provide the perceptions and misconceptions about sharks among students in Ghana. From the Western region of Ghana, two senior high schools were visited from March to June 2023, and 111 questionnaires were administered to them with the assistance of a resident teacher. Most of these students believe that i) sharks do not eat humankind as food, ii) fishing activities do not affect shark behavior, iii) the decline in fish does not affect the shark population, and iv) fishermen in Ghana face a lot of shark attacks. On perceptions, most of the students perceived that i) shark fishing should not be stopped, ii) shark ecotourism will yield more money than shark fishing, and iii) MPAs will conserve shark population in Ghana. From the study, it was evident that knowledge and attitudes showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.61). Therefore, incorporating shark related topics into the curricula of schools, taking students on educational tours to the fishing communities, and engaging them in outreach programs will enlighten their knowledge of sharks and foster their awareness of shark conservation and shark ecotourism in Ghana.

The role of effective inventory management practices on organizational performance: a case of Tarkwa municipal hospital, western region, Ghana

The study aimed at investigating the role of effective inventory management practices on organisational performance; a case study of Municipal Hospital Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the inventory management practices used by organisations, to find the effect of inventory management practices on organisational performance, and to determine the challenges of implementing inventory management practices in organizations. The study adopted descriptive and causal research designs and used questionnaires as the data collection instrument. Data were collected from 200 respondents and STATA 13 analytical tool was used to perform the analysis. The results were presented using frequency tables and descriptive statistics tables. The study also used Probit regression analysis to establish the relationship between the dependent and the independent variables. The findings show that the stakeholders of the hospital are generally happy with the service delivery of the hospital. Thus, the results show that the hospital adopts various inventory management practices including; activity-based costing, economic order quantity, material requirement planning, materials resource planning, enterprise resource planning, distribution requirement planning, and just in time. The study concludes that effective inventory management positively affects the performance of organizations, in this case, the quality of service delivery of organizations. The study recommends organizations successfully implement an effective inventory management system. This will help reduce the risks of shortages. In addition, the concept of inventory management could be simplified for organizations in Ghana. This can be done through education or training to all staff in organizations to enlighten them on the need for effective inventory management practices for their organization’s performance.

Methylene blue dye adsorption on Ghana’s activated clay from Teleku Bukazo

In this work, a clay sample from Teleku Bukazo in the Western Region of Ghana was activated by an acid activation process and the material used for adsorbing methylene blue from wastewater. Zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, analysis were used to characterize the material. To ascertain the impact of temperature, pH, contact time, starting concentration, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorbent, kinetic and thermodynamic experiments were conducted. The optimal dosage required for the removal of MB was 0.1 g in 50 mg/L for 80 min at a pH of 9. The maximum adsorption capacity and removal efficacy were found to be 35 mg/g and 98%, respectively. With an R2 value of 0.9992, the adsorption data most closely matched the Freundlich isotherm. The nature of the adsorption process is pseudo-second-order as confirmed by the correlation (R2 = 0.9982). A spontaneous adsorption process is shown by the negative change in Gibbs free energy at all temperatures (ΔG0 = −1.83 KJ/mol to −1.92 KJ/mol). The decrease in enthalpy change (ΔH0 = −1.08 KJ/mol) indicates an exothermic process. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA in Microsoft Excel, were employed to assess the impact of various parameters such as time, pH, concentration, dosage, and temperature on adsorption. Notably, all tested parameters exhibited statistically significant effects on dye removal (p < 0.05), emphasizing their substantial influence on the adsorption process.

The Effect of Organisational Learning on Business Performance of SMMES in the Western Region of Ghana

The Effect of Organisational Learning on Business Performance of SMMES in the Western Region of Ghana

A Prioritised Automatic Switching Algorithm for Load Shedding Using Labview

Load shedding is employed at the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) Tarkwa power substation to ensure a balance between power demand and available power. This involves taking off loads from the power transmission network when demand exceeds available power. Such loads are later reintroduced when available power is adequate to supply applied loads. The traditional technique of load shedding employed at the GRIDCo power substation in Tarkwa requires dropping electrical loads based on frequency variations. This may lead to dropping load of entire sections without consideration of essential loads. Research into prioritised load shedding algorithm using semi adaptive load shedding approach can continuously monitor and switch loads at the study area which is a transmission substation located in the Western Region of Ghana. Electrical Transient Analysis Program (ETAP) software version 2019 was used to simulate the single line system of the GRIDCo substation to determine the rate of change of frequency against varying loads. The implementation of the proposed technique was achieved with Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) software version 2019. Using typical load shedding data from the GRIDCo Tarkwa power substation, the proposed design was tested and found to be effective in carrying out load shedding.

Efficacy of Formative Assessment Practices in Social Studies Instructions: A Case Study of Holy Child College of Education in Ghana

Assessment has become the foundation of all levels of education. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of formative assessment practices in Social Studies instructions at Holy Child College of Education in the Western Region of Ghana. A qualitative approach and a case study research design were adopted for this study. The case study focused on the teacher-trainee's views and roles of formative assessment in the teaching and learning process in Social Studies lessons. The population for this study included all seventy-five (75) final-year teacher-trainees offering a general programme for a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies in the Holy Child College of Education in the Western Region of Ghana. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select the College of Education and participants for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample the college and municipality in the Western Region. Twenty (20) teacher trainees on teaching practice were conveniently sampled for the study. A semi-structured interview guide was the main tool used in data collection. The data was analysed using the interpretative technique based on the themes arrived at during the data collection. It was revealed that assessment for learning is a gradual engagement that takes place endlessly throughout ongoing classroom learning activities to offer immediate feedback for assessors and assesses to close the gap identified in the ongoing learning situation. Therefore, mentoring institutions like the University of Education, Winneba, University of Cape Coast and others should collaborate with the Ghana Teacher Education Commission to organise continuous professional development for colleges of education teachers on efficacy and implementation of formative assessment.

Traditional beliefs and willingness to pay for improving a mining-polluted river in Ghana

Pollution of water resources is a widespread challenge across the globe which requires effective policy measures. However, in many instances, state institutions are weak in addressing these problems. One then wonders what alternative management regimes can be used in place of public policies. This study examined the willingness to pay (WTP) for the improvement of the Ankobra River, a mining-polluted river in the Western Region of Ghana, using the contingent valuation method. Primary data was collected from 611 respondents from 8 communities in the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality and were analysed using probit and interval regression models. The findings suggest that respondents were concerned about the current polluted state of the Ankobra River and traditional beliefs regarding the spiritual value of the river were still very relevant to them. Consequently, respondents with the belief that the river is an abode of gods as well as natives who believe that Ankobra River is a god were more likely to pay for the improvement of its water quality. Surprisingly, respondents who believed that the river is a god had a lower WTP. Income, natives, existence value, secondary and tertiary education also had positive significant association with WTP, older respondents were less likely to pay while respondents with bigger household sizes, and the divorced had lower WTP. The estimated mean WTP for water quality improvement of the Ankobra River is GHC 51.52 ($6.62) per annum. Local community involvement in policy decision-making regarding water resources is key.

Waterworld: The Use and Reuse of Lake Tadane in Safeguarding Knowledge and Sustaining the Cultural Heritage of the Nzulezo Community

Nzulezo, a tentative World Heritage Site listed in 2000 by UNESCO, is a community built on Lake Tadane in the Western Region of Ghana. Since its nomination, Nzulezo has become an attraction to both Ghanaians and foreigners alike. Over the years, the population has built dwellings and other structures to form the village over the lake, a way of adapting to an environment made up of about 70 per cent freshwater, about 20 per cent wetland, and 10 per cent land. Nzulezo stands out among heritage sites in Ghana due to its traditional architectural style. The village structures are made of wood and raffia. Located in a water-dominated environment, the community experiences changes in water levels that are predominantly seasonal. The water level is low from December to April during the dry season and high from June to August during the rainy season. In Nzulezo, the entire management of the site has been left to the Ghana Wildlife Society, a non-governmental organization (NGO). The focus of the management is tourism-driven, with less regard for the community members and the environment.

Integrated soil fertility management using cocoa bean shells improves soil chemical properties, coconut yield and mitigates environmental pollution

One approach to sustain and intensify coconut production is nutrient cycling through an integrated soil fertility management strategy. This strategy may include transferring crop by-products from one farm commodity to another. One such promising by-products identified is cocoa bean shells (CBS), which is in abundance and could serve as an environmental pollutant at Bamiankor, which is a forest zone and an important area for coconut and cocoa productions, located in the Western region of Ghana. Following this, a 42-month integrated soil fertility management field study was conducted to assess improvements in selected soil chemical properties, coupled with vegetative, and reproductive parameters in a Sri Lankan Green Dwarf (SGD) coconut genotype under various fertilizer treatments. The treatments included: no-fertilizer control (CK), nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer, cocoa bean shells (CBS), and NPK+CBS, which were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RBCD) in three replications. There were appreciable increases in values of soil pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP). Values in carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio after treatment with CBS, however, were significantly reduced. It was observed that collar girth from palms treated with NPK+CBS were significantly higher compared to other treatments. Similarly, number of leaves, percentage of palm inflorescence, and number of nut-load palm−1 year−1 were all significantly higher under NPK+CBS treated palms compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, CBS in combination with NPK fertilizer is recommended as a good strategy to intensify coconut production. However, for a long-term benefit, circularity, cleaner, and sustainable production, addition of sole CBS is advocated. Adoption of this management strategy will also potentially mitigate the negative environmental consequences associated with accumulation of CBS in studied area.

Farmers’ perceptions and willingness to adopt egg and snail shells as alternative calcium sources for poultry production in the Western region of Ghana

This paper examined farmers’ awareness, perceptions, and willingness to adopt eggshells and/or snail shells as alternative sources of calcium in the formulation of poultry feed. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to obtain data from 284 poultry farmers in the Western region of Ghana. Descriptive statistics, the perception index, and bivariate probit regression model we used in the analysis. The Likelihood Ratio test confirmed that there is a correlation between farmers' willingness to adopt eggshells and/or snail shells as alternative calcium sources (p < 0.05). The results indicate that, while 79.56% of the farmers were aware of the potential of eggshells as a variant source of calcium in poultry feed, only 61.97% of the farmers are aware of the same potential for snail shells. The results further suggest that poultry farmers generally have positive perceptions about the use of an alternative source of calcium in poultry feed formulation. Furthermore, 80.28% and 65.49%, of the farmers are willing to adopt eggshells and snail shells as variant sources of calcium, respectively. Factors such as years of education, household size, credit access, and extension access, and ownership of layer farms were found to significantly and positively influence the willingness of poultry farmers to adopt eggshells and snail shells as alternative sources of calcium. There is therefore the need for effective sensitisations and education through training programs by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Universities, Animal Research Institutions, private organizations, or poultry feed manufacturers. Credit access is also key to helping farmers invest in equipment and materials, so financial institutions should provide low-interest loans. Finally, it is crucial to have extension services that are customized to the unique requirements of farmers, considering factors such as their location, farm size, and education level, to effectively disseminate information about the advantages of egg and snail shells.

Postpandemic fear of COVID-19, psychological distress, and resilient coping among frontline health workers in Ghana: An analytical cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the psychological well-being of healthcare workers globally. However, little is known about the mental health state of frontline health workers in the postpandemic era. The purpose of this study was to examine postpandemic COVID-19-related psychological distress and fear among frontline health workers in Ghana. Data were collected from 245 frontline healthcare workers in the Western region of Ghana. COVID-19-related fear, psychological distress, and resilient coping were assessed with the fear of COVID-19 scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale, respectively. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between psychological distress and fear of COVID-19as well as the moderating effects of resilient coping. Participants were mostly female (57.1%), aged between 21 and 30 years (50.6%), and not married (58.0%). We found that 52.2% of frontline healthcare workers experienced mild-to-severe fear, while 40% experienced psychological distress. Fear of COVID-19, previous contact with COVID-19 patients, and earning a monthly income between 501 and 1000 Ghanaian cedis were significantly associated with higher psychological distress. The positive association between fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress was stronger among frontline health workers who had higher resilient coping. There is the need to provide frontline health workers with mental health support services to promote their psychological well-being and enhance their ability to provide quality care during the postpandemic era.

The Impact of Roof Coating and Solar PV System in the Tropical Region of Ghana

Adding PV module to roof has impacts on building`s electricity energy consumption. The aim of this paper is to assess the energy consumption performance of buildings by integrating solar Photovoltaic (PV) system into buildings with roof coating. An experiment was conducted to verify the efficient outcome of PV module using a building from the Anaji area of Takoradi in the Western region of Ghana. A framework energy model was proposed to analyse the integrated contribution of coating and PV performance using PVSOL. The temperature of the coated roof surfaces underneath the PV panels were significantly lower than that of the exposed roof in the daytime. The system integrated energy efficiency for flat and tilted overhead PV roofs are 63.35 % and 62.73 %, respectively. Using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) performance criterion, the monthly energy savings for coated roofs with solar PV is 28.86 kW or GH¢ 340.21; while the monthly energy savings for coated roofs without PV is 25.91 kW or GH¢ 303.00. Overall, the proposed integrated coated roof with PV outperforms the coated roof without PV. Validating the model, the mean relative errors (MRE) were all below 10%, while the accuracy of Power-Added Efficiency (PAE) were all beyond 95%. Thus, the proposed integrated roof coating and solar PV model for optimizing energy consumption is reliable.

The New Standard Based Curriculum in Ghana; Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward.

Purpose: The study aimed at assessing the standard based curriculum recently introduced; the training given to teachers and the implementation challenges teachers are confronted with. Methodology: Descriptive design was employed for the study. Quantitative data was collected from 200 Basic School Teachers in the Western Region of Ghana using a questionnaire. Data on the two research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Also, One way ANOVA was used to test the two hypotheses formulated for the study.&#x0D; Findings: The findings of the study showed that teachers were adequately trained on the new standard based curriculum before its implementation. Unfortunately, the study revealed that teachers and students lack the recommended teaching and learning materials. Interestingly, the results showed that there is a significant difference in the implementation of the standard based curriculum among teachers with regards to their level of teaching. On the other hand, the test on teachers’ academic qualification showed no significant difference.&#x0D; Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: It was recommended that government should provide adequate teaching and learning materials for teachers and students to enhance the successful implementation of the new standard base curriculum. Head-teachers are encouraged to intensify supervision of teachers and provide feedback for smooth implementation of the new standard base curriculum. Finally, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment should constantly evaluate the implementation of the new curriculum to able be to address area areas that will more attention for successful implementation.

‘I am the daughter of a man’

The purpose of this article is to discuss the cultural creativity that Nana Kofi Abuna V, the Chief of Essipun Traditional Area in the Western Region of Ghana, is investing in transgressing gender boundaries as a woman chief. Deploying an ethnographic research approach and biographical narrative, feminism as a methodological framework, I argue that Nana is breaking the boundaries of gender to chart new pathways as a woman chief. Nana is one of the few women chiefs in contemporary Ghana. Nana’s ascent to the stool as a chief diverges from the ‘conventional’ practice of male political rule in Akan traditional societies. Since Nana is a woman who bears a male name (Kofi), she acts as a male chief of her Traditional Area. But as a deaconess (church officer) of the Church of Pentecost (CoP), Ghana’s largest Protestant denomination, Nana did not submit to the performance of the rituals of chieftaincy during her installation. Similarly, Nana’s Pentecostal leaning does not permit her to perform ‘chiefship’ rituals. This goes contrary to the centrality of Akan chieftaincy as an ancestral cult and its attendant rituals. Nana, as a Pentecostal woman chief, therefore, breaks through culturally-induced gender boundaries to perform chiefship roles.