Papers by Directorate Research & Innovation
International Journal of Technology and Management Research, 2020
Competency-Based Training (CBT) was introduced in the HTIs (i.e. Polytechnics, most of which has ... more Competency-Based Training (CBT) was introduced in the HTIs (i.e. Polytechnics, most of which has become and Technical Universities) in Ghana to provide graduates with appropriate knowledge and skills to efficiently perform work place roles in industry and administration. This is a preliminary study to undertake an appraisal of CBT since its implementation in the HTIs. The study focuses on the mode of delivery of CBT, the modes assessment, the benefits and the challenges. Mixed methods research design was used to collect and analyse data from five Polytechnics using random sampling. A total of 510 respondents comprising lecturers and students who engaged in various CBT programmes participated in the study. The findings reveal that CBT helps trainees to acquire competencies/skills required in the performance of jobs. CBT also encourages the adoption of flexible delivery and learning methods in Polytechnics in Ghana. Among the major challenges facing CBT in the Polytechnics are finance...
Biogas and Biochar are technological solutions that deal with sanitation and other environmental ... more Biogas and Biochar are technological solutions that deal with sanitation and other environmental problems. The technology for producing biogas from faeces is termed bio-toilet and production of biochar from the same human waste is by means of Sol-char toilet. The study evaluated economic benefits and costs of sol-char toilet and compared with empirical benefits and costs estimates of bio-toilet. Cost Benefit Analysis was used to judge welfare change attribution of investment into Sol Char Toilet and Bio Toilet. The pyrolysis plant was fed with 4000 tons of faeces for which Sol char toilet incurred Total capital cost of US$ 3,140,940.38, Net Present Value (NPV) of US$9,718,817.4788, Profitability Index (PI) of 4.0942381271 and 1.4 years payback period. Bio toilet values for a total of 4000 m3 (100 units of 40 m3 each) were;-Total capital cost of US$ 36,026.05, NPV of US$89,152.75, PI of 3.4746 and 3.46 years payback period. Sol char toilet is faced with high capital requirement challenges, compared with an advantage in smaller payback period and a marginal difference in PI. The study concluded that complementary roles of sol char toilet and bio toilet in the Ghanaian economy is preferred.
s The aim of the study is to predict the impact of birth order effect on sales person's performan... more s The aim of the study is to predict the impact of birth order effect on sales person's performance. The main objective is to investigate the relationship between birth order; (firstborns, middle children, lastborns, and only children) on sales person's performance. Besides, it also aimed to examine the relationship between personality and sales person's performance. The target population of the study comprised of sales person 's shared mean age of 21.0 years (Standard Deviation= 1.93) and have worked as sales person for a minimum of three years. Participants were recruited from the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study adopted purposive sampling technique to select the sales person and a total of 788 out of the 900 participants returned their questionnaires. A linear regression equation was employed to measure how birth order predicts sales person's performance, with birth order (firstborns, middle children, lastborns, and only children) as the predictor variables and sales person's performance as the criterion variable. Results indicated that a participant of different birth positions does not differ significantly in terms of sales person's performance.
Over the last decade, Ghana and South Africa have been among some African countries that have bec... more Over the last decade, Ghana and South Africa have been among some African countries that have become more entrenched in foreign direct investment (FDI). The past quarter of the century has witnessed a remarkable growth in world foreign direct investment flows, coupled with the evolving investment strategies of national policies globally. This paper examines and compares the legislative frameworks and regulatory policies governing FDIs in South Africa and Ghana and the hurdles that need to be overcome to ensure smooth implementation of these policies. This has become evident in their current enactment of their regulations with the object of promoting investments in these economies. However, these jurisdictions have restrictions placed on their regulations; hence, putting frustrations on foreign direct investments. It appears that although in terms of overall statutory FDI regulations, African countries are on the average not more restrictive than other developing nations, some of these countries have obstacles that are both severe and restrictive such as land ownership, whether discriminatory or general in nature, act as an important deterrent to foreign investment. This discussion would focus on comparing restrictions imposed by legislation or policies affecting Soith Africa anf Ghana with regards to foreign direct investment. And disputes that emerge due to the restrictions among the jurisdictions.
Ghana rose from an insignificant position
Shopping for souvenir is an important aspect of the tourism activity which almost all tourists pa... more Shopping for souvenir is an important aspect of the tourism activity which almost all tourists participate in. The purpose of this paper is to examine the expenditure pattern of international tourists on souvenirs in Accra. The study adopted the descriptive design and questionnaire was administered to gather data. Data collected from 196 international tourists who were sampled from hotspots in Accra, using convenient sampling method, revealed that there was a significant relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of tourists and expenditure on souvenirs. Therefore, socio-demographic characteristics of an individual was found to have likely influence on the individual's expenditure on souvenirs. Also, a majority of the respondents, who were first time visitors, spent less on souvenirs. A significant average expenditure on souvenirs signifies that the souvenirs business is a profitable business that needs to be maintained and enhanced. Majority of the respondents had souvenirs as part of their purchase plans. Leisure travellers were noted to spend more on souvenirs than other travellers. Souvenir shopping generates a good amount of money and as such the Centre for National Culture and Ghana Tourism Authority should embark on activities aimed at packaging and promoting the arts and crafts of the country so as to arouse sales of souvenirs.
This paper is concerned with the relationship between attitude and behaviour in language. Adolesc... more This paper is concerned with the relationship between attitude and behaviour in language. Adolescent male and female subjects were recorded and index-scores of their linguistic behaviour compared to their assessment of in-group members in a verbal-guise attitude experiment, and to their attitudes concerning language usage in a questionnaire. It was hypothesized that male subjects' language would be closer to the vernacular, and that they would also express more positive attitudes towards in-group members than would female subjects. However, no significant correlation between attitude and behaviour was found in the quantitative analysis, but results from the attitude-questionnaire support our hypothesis: male subjects have more vernacular features in their language and also express more genuinely positive attitudes towards the local vernaculars than do female subjects. Finally, methodological and theoretical implications of these results are discussed, emphasizing the importance of using eclectic approaches in future research on attitude-behaviour relations in language.
The study was undertaken to assess how companies use the activity of budgeting and budgetary cont... more The study was undertaken to assess how companies use the activity of budgeting and budgetary control in their management process to achieve their desired results. Logs & Lumber Limited, a timber company in Kumasi, Ghana was studied. Convenient sampling method was used to select the respondents.. The sample was made up of 17 staff members of the company. The primary data were gathered through questionnaires and structured interview. The secondary data were budget reports and budget manual of the company from 2011-2015. The data obtained from the study were processed using the Stastical Package Software System (SPSS) version 16.0 to assess differences in the results. 100% of the respondents strongly agree that the company budget practices do not contradict with literature. It is concluded that to ensure an effective an efficient budget and budgetary control system identifying and mitigating limiting factors to budgets are the most relevant.
Work in organizations entails an exchange relationship between employees and organization. Apart ... more Work in organizations entails an exchange relationship between employees and organization. Apart from the written employment contract, there still exists a set of mutual expectations from the two parties (employer and employee) which remain unwritten and unvoiced and yet drives the behavior of both workers and organizations alike, and this is what is referred to as the psychological contract. Psychological contract refers to the employees' subjective interpretations and evaluations of their deal with the organization. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of breaches or violations in the psychological contract on the performance of employees. It aims to present two concurrent hypotheses, based on theoretical interaction effects of social exchanges (conceptualized as social exchange relationships, fairness, and job security).Data were collected from a sample of 150 employees from both Public and Private Banks in Ghana. Regression analysis was used to explore the moderating effects of social exchanges on the relationships between psychological contract breach and work performance (operationalized as in-role behaviors and organizational citizenship behaviors).It was found that the negative relationship between psychological contract breach and work performance was moderated by social exchanges, such that the relationship was stronger for employees with high social exchange relationship, perceived organizational support, and job security which means that psychological contract breach will negatively affect employees with higher expectations in social exchanges.
To improve the quality of threshed cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), produced by rural farmers in Gh... more To improve the quality of threshed cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), produced by rural farmers in Ghana, and determine the best machine-crop parameters combination for optimum performance, a cowpea thresher was developed and evaluated at different moisture contents. The cowpea after harvesting was divided into five units and dried to 20.7, 18.4, 15.5, 13.5 and 12.6 % seed moisture contents. The effect of seed moisture contents on threshing quality was assessed at 735 rpm rotor speed using the white with black eye cowpea. The performance test showed that 12.6 % had the highest throughput of 77.56 kg/h with the lowest of 66.28 kg/h from the 20.7%. The seed damage ranged from 1.64 to 9.46 % and threshing efficiency from 93.11 to 99.40 %. Analyses done at 5% level of significance indicated no significant difference in the throughput and threshing efficiencies. However, seed damage had significant difference. Subsequently, analysis performed on the data for seed loss of 12.6 and 13.5 % which were the best performing moisture contents showed no significant differences. Therefore, seed moisture contents less than 13.5 % and rotor speeds less than 735 rpm are the crop-machine parameters combination for optimum thresher performance.
Food emulsions are thermodynamically unstable mixtures which can be stabilized with the applicati... more Food emulsions are thermodynamically unstable mixtures which can be stabilized with the application of an emulsifier. In Ghana emulsifiers are imported, and this increases the final cost of food emulsions. In this study, gums obtained from three tree plant species in Ghana, i.e. Albizia zygia (Albizia), Khaya senegalensis (Khaya), and Anarcardium occidentale (Cashew), were used to stabilize oil-in-water emulsion, and the stability of the emulsions were measured after centrifugation at 1300 x g for 5 min, and upon pH adjustment (from 2 to 3.5). Quantity of gum (mass), solubility of gum in the continuous phase, viscosity, oil volume fraction, and pH were investigated to determine how they affect emulsion stability.The results indicated with the exception of viscosity, emulsion stability is influenced by all the other factors studied. In addition there was no significant difference (P<0.05) between the emulsion stabilities of food emulsions stabilized by gums of Cashew (0.77-0.86) and Acacia (0.78-0.87). The Pearson's coefficient of correlation indicated that the emulsion stability values of the emulsions positively correlated with the solubility of the gums (R² =0.983 at P<0.05, and0.997 at P<0.01). Although there were no significant differences in the emulsion stability values of emulsions stabilized with Albizia and Khaya gums, both recorded significantly lower (P<0.05) emulsion stability values (0.76-0.85 and 0.75-0.81 respectively) than the Acacia gum (control). The Cashew gum has the potential to be utilized as an emulsifier in the food industry.
Configuration of antenna array system to offer directional dependent modulation has the capabilit... more Configuration of antenna array system to offer directional dependent modulation has the capability of enhancing the security level of data transmission against eavesdroppers' attacks. In this paper, Frequency diverse array (FDA) antenna for physical-layer security in wireless communications has been proposed. The proposed method provide a range and angle dependent directional modulation scheme using FDA with frequency increments to improve physical-layer security point-to-point communications. It maintains the objective of changing the progressive phase shifts at each symbol transmission. Thus the emitted pattern at each symbol transmission period will be range and angle dependent. Consequently, the proposed method offers a robust physical-layer security for wireless transmission, as the transmitted signal will be deliberately distorted along the undesired positions, but can be successfully decoded by the intended receiver position. Numerical results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Competency-Based Training (CBT) was introduced in the HTIs (i.e. Polytechnics, most of which has ... more Competency-Based Training (CBT) was introduced in the HTIs (i.e. Polytechnics, most of which has become and Technical Universities) in Ghana to provide graduates with appropriate knowledge and skills to efficiently perform work place roles in industry and administration. This is a preliminary study to undertake an appraisal of CBT since its implementation in the HTIs. The study focuses on the mode of delivery of CBT, the modes assessment, the benefits and the challenges. Mixed methods research design was used to collect and analyse data from five Polytechnics using random sampling. A total of 510 respondents comprising lecturers and students who engaged in various CBT programmes participated in the study. The findings reveal that CBT helps trainees to acquire competencies/skills required in the performance of jobs. CBT also encourages the adoption of flexible delivery and learning methods in Polytechnics in Ghana. Among the major challenges facing CBT in the Polytechnics are finance and logistics as well as the "pen-and-paper test". The study recommends that proper identification of trainee skills, adoption of appropriate teaching and assessment methods are used in the delivery of CBT. In addition, adequate funding required for CBT training and equipment is also recommended. Most significantly, stronger collaboration with both public and private sector firms in the industry is needed. Finally, commitment and support from all stakeholders in polytechnic education is necessary for the sustainability of CBT.
This paper is a part of a broader research into textile design technology and trends across the w... more This paper is a part of a broader research into textile design technology and trends across the world and their reflection on the local Ghanaian textile industry. It places conventional manual screen printing and digital textile printing technologies side by side and discusses the various drawbacks of screen printing as against the advantages of digital textile printing to illustrate a path for a wider consideration of the latter in Ghanaian small to medium scale textile production. Short-run textile printing commissions are the main source of jobs for small to medium scale textile producers in Ghana. And manual screen printing is the main process employed by these small-scale textile printers. However, screen printing has various layers of limitations such as poor registration of the design, stains, pinholes, colour correctness, colour consistency, colour smear, dye migration, scorching, improper curing, amongst others. These layers of limitations negatively affect the overall outcome of the prints. So, as it stands now, short-run textile printing commissions are either produced manually, of course, with several inconsistencies or outsourced to China and other countries at a higher production cost. This is because, the large-scale textile factories in Ghana could print a minimum of 2400 yards due to their machine settings, calibration and running cost to make the least returns. This study highlights some of the milestones in the development of digital textiles print machines and examines some of the key aspects of their tremendous production aptitudes for short-run textile commissions. The case study research method is used because data comes largely from documentation, archival records, interviews and physical artefacts.
Empirical results of the effect of international remittances on economic growth of individual cou... more Empirical results of the effect of international remittances on economic growth of individual countries and groups of countries have yielded mixed results. This study is intended to add to the debate on the impact of international remittances on the aggregate output of individual countries, Ghana in this case. An earlier panel data study found a negative impact of remittance on real GDP and prompted further research on the topic for individual countries and groups of countries. The papers which followed and were able to correct for endogeneity in the models, found a mild positive impact of private unrequited remittances on economic growth. The impact of remittances on economic growth of a particular country depends on the proportion of remittances invested and consumed, the level of financial development and the quality of institutions in the country. This study used time series data from 1990 to 2014 on Ghana and found a positive impact of remittances on the growth rate of real GDP. Engel and Granger Cointegration test and Error Correction Models were used. Remittances were found to be pro-cyclical. Granger causality tests which corrects for the errors of cointegrated variables found causality running from financial development to remittances and from remittances to real GDP. Remittances have been found in other studies to benefit the Ghanaian economy by reducing poverty and sustaining the current account. This study shows a positive impact of remittances on aggregate output. Thus requiring policies to increase the flows and encourage their investment.
In recent times, many people prefer to purchase fruits which have undergone minimal processing pr... more In recent times, many people prefer to purchase fruits which have undergone minimal processing probably due to lack of time and convenience. Fresh-cut fruits are ready-to-eat food, but can be a source of contamination and hence transmission of food-borne diseases such as typhoid and cholera. The contamination of fresh-cut fruits can be caused by the handlers, therefore, this study was carried out to assess the hygienic knowledge and practices of fresh-cut fruit handlers in the New Juaben Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The handlers studied include those who deal with fruits such as pawpaw, watermelon, and pineapple. The two main instruments used for gathering the data were questionnaires and personal observation. The responses of the handlers were analyzed using SPSS. Most of the respondents work in hygienic premises, have good knowledge of food hygiene, and practice good hygiene especially during packaging of processed fruits. The observation indicated that even though most respondents use gloves and aprons, they do not cover the hair, mouth, and nose, and this could predispose the fruits to contamination. Although, majority of the respondents have waste bins, most (85.4%) of them were hand-operated with only a few (7.3%) having tight cover, and this could invite flies to the premises. Fresh-cut fruit handlers in the New Juaben Municipality should be given periodic education on food hygiene.
Motorised three-wheel vehicles are important modes of transportation in the Tamale metroplis beca... more Motorised three-wheel vehicles are important modes of transportation in the Tamale metroplis because they provide alternative mobility solutions for low and middle income earners and fill the gaps in transportation systems in Ghana. The fact that motorised three-wheel vehicles are inexpensive to manufacture, sell, operate and repair compared to cars have also catalysed the surge in their ownership. This study evaluates the operations and safety of motorised three-wheel vehicles as a means of public transport for goods and humans in the Tamale Metropolis. To achieve this objective, a manual traffic classification count was carried out on the following main roads: Hospital Road, Bolgatanga Road, Choogu Road and Nyohini Road within the study area; a survey questionnaire was designed to elicit information from operators as well as users of motorised three-wheel vehicles. Road traffic crashes data were obtained and analysed. Direct field observations were also carried out along selected roads. The manual traffic classification count revealed that motorised three-wheel vehicles constitute the third most significant mode of transport in the study area whereas light vehicles and motorcycles are first and second respectively. Additionally, operation of motorised three-wheel vehicles provides employment or livelihood to people who are otherwise unemployable and have families to take care of. In terms of safety, 94.6% are completely unlicensed, 3.1% have motorcycle license, 1.5% have tractor operator license and 0.8% have driving license. Lack of required driving skills could be one of contributing factors of crashes in the study area. The vehicles also stop or park at unauthorised places, leading to congestion and traffic management problems on roads. It is therefore recommended that the operation of motorised three-wheel vehicles within Tamale Metropolis Area be regulated and designated spaces provided for parking.
The study investigates the impact of promotional tools on marketing of library services. The stud... more The study investigates the impact of promotional tools on marketing of library services. The study explores the relationship between promotional tools constructs: personal selling, sales promotion, public relations and advertising on marketing of library services among selected Polytechnics in Ghana. With the aid of SPSS, the following statistical method were employed: supporting literature for measurement scales, values of cranach's alpha for construct values, descending means of constructs, skewness and kurtosis on the constructs, correlations and regression analyses on a sample of 402 obtained through convenience sampling method. The study revealed that, all the constructs of the promotional tools thus personal selling, sales promotion, public relations and advertising have significant positive relationship with marketing of library services. The study suggests that the professional training of library staff should include courses such as personal selling, sales promotion, public relations and advertising.. Library staff should be trained and develop skills on how to handle users request and establish a good personal relationship with users of the library. Library staff should be oriented on the procedures to handle complaints and find lasting sloutions to them. Users should be updated with the list of new databases, online services and new journals via notice board, leaflets and newsletters as well as the institutional websites. Library staff should collaborate with professional markerters on the application of the marketing mix in the promotion of their services.
This study examined the relationship between the number of apprentices in a firm and the financia... more This study examined the relationship between the number of apprentices in a firm and the financial performance of the firm, using the RPED/CSAE Ghana Manufacturing Enterprise Survey (GMES) covering the period of 1991 to 2002. The dynamic panel model estimation technique was employed to investigate the effect of the number of apprentice on gross profit per capital of firms in the furniture and wood processing industry of Ghana. The findings of the study indicate that the financial performances of firms deteriorate during the apprenticeship period, as they take up more apprentices but increase in wages of apprentices had direct significant effect on financial performance. Other dynamics of the apprentice and the master were discovered to be important variables in explaining firm's financial performance. The average age of an apprentice in the Furniture industry was about 24 years while that of the Wood industry was about 29 years which is clearly very high. It has been suggested that firms may need incentives other than the services of the apprentice to increase their demand for apprenticeship. The incentive may include tax exemption which should be proportional to the number of apprentices engaged and a proper contract must be signed that will allow apprentices to serve the firm for a specified period after training before being released. The youth must also be advised to begin the apprenticeship process early.
The study explores the skills set development and its job market relevance of the HND (Higher Nat... more The study explores the skills set development and its job market relevance of the HND (Higher National Diploma) purchasing and supply programme in Ghana, using a grounded theory methodology. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observation and documentary analysis were used in the data collection, whereas thematic analysis was applied in the data analyses process. The research findings supported the widely held public perception that skills mismatch exist on the Ghanaian labour market. Besides, the HND Purchasing and Supply practitioners were found to lack managerial skills, confidence (psyche), analytical skills, critical thinking skills, specification development skills, computer skills in terms of data entry, word processing, excel and power point capabilities. Unfortunately, the study did not establish the existence of any practical on the job training in industry to resolve the identified skills deficiency. Although the research revealed that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has been organizing some internships for HND Purchasing and Supply graduates, they still lack hands-on/ practical experience. Nonetheless, the study has confirmed the relevance to practice of the skills set imparted through HND Purchasing and Supply programme.
Uploads
Papers by Directorate Research & Innovation