Browsing by Author "Agyemang, G."
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Item A critical reflection on the use of focus groups as a research method: lessons from trying to hear the voices of NGO beneficiaries in Ghana(Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting Research, 2009) Agyemang, G.; Awumbila, M.; O’Dwyer, B.The focus group method has been used extensively in social science research in order to gain a deep understanding of participant perceptions of specific topics of interest. However, the method has rarely been used in the social accounting and accountability literature. This paper reviews and critically reflects on the key characteristics of the method drawing on a research project examining NGO (non-governmental organization) beneficiary perspectives on the accountability processes employed by NGOs in Ghana. It offers insights and future research suggestions that might encourage greater use of the method by social accounting and accountability researchers.Item Local Content Policy And Human Capital Development In Ghana’s Oil And Gas Upstream Sector(University Of Ghana, 2022-11) Agyemang, G.Ghana formulated the Local Content and Participation Policy in petroleum activities in 2010. One of the objectives of the policy is to develop local capability through education and skill development. Skills shortage among Ghanaians persists in the upstream sector, and the issue of human capital development is looked at. This study examined the local content policies on human capital development in Ghana’s upstream sector, with a focus on upstream firms’ local content initiatives and programmes on human capital development, how employees acquire human capital and the challenges faced, and the institutional framework on human capital development in Ghana’s upstream sector. Through a qualitative approach and a case study design, this study made use of a semi-structured interview guide and document sources to collect data. The study made use of data collected from participants in upstream firms, civil society organizations, the Petroleum Commission, the Ministry of Energy, the Local Content Committee, and members of parliament. The findings of the study revealed the facilitation of human capital development through localization and succession planning, the use of competency assessment and development tools, the establishment of a human capital development policy, and infrastructural development. Further, employees were acquiring human capital through internal training, external training, e-learning, and personalized learning initiatives. However, there were several challenges to human capital development, including a perceived deliberate delay in skills transfer, difficulty finding experienced professionals, the limited capacity of stakeholder organizations, a lack of employee motivation, and inadequate information on localization. The study argues that the implementation of the local content policy has enhanced the development of human capital in Ghana’s upstream sector; however, it has not translated into targeted employment outcomes. The institutional arrangements have aided the development of human capital, though there are gaps that need to be addressed. As part of the recommendations, the government of Ghana should facilitate the capacity building of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation to train more Ghanaians, and the local content regulations should specify the maximum number of years that expatriate employees can work in the country while the Petroleum Commission improves the monitoring of the progress of employees’ training and succession through direct communication with them.Item Seeking “conversations for accountability”:(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2017) Agyemang, G.; O’Dwyer, B.; Unerman, J.; Awumbila, M.Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ascertain how upward accountability processes can be enabling in, or constraining to, the effective deployment of development aid funding. Design/methodology/approach – The paper derives its primary insights from in-depth interviews and focus groups with non-governmental organization (NGO) fieldworkers working and delivering development aid in Northern Ghana. It analyses inductively the perspectives of fieldworkers to explain their experiences of upward accountability. Findings – The fieldworkers’ perception of upward accountability was mainly one of external control, in response to which they enacted a skilful form of compliance accountability. This perception of control failed to stifle their initiative and intrinsic commitment to beneficiaries. The fieldworkers craved “conversations for accountability”, in which they had a voice in the development of upward accountability metrics, thereby enabling them to fulfil their sense of felt responsibility to beneficiaries. While aspects of “conversations for accountability” were emerging in fieldworker-funder interactions, it was unclear to what extent funders were committed to further advancing them. Overall, the analysis unveils how felt responsibility mediates for, and partly diminishes, the perceived negative impacts on aid effectiveness of upward accountability processes informed by a focus on control. Originality/value – The authors examine the potential of upward accountability processes using in-depth analyses of the actual experiences of those involved in delivering NGO services at the grassroots level. The authors contribute to emerging work in this vein by enriching the authors’ understanding of local constituencies’ experiences of accountability processes more generally, especially the impact these mechanisms have on NGO operational activities. The authors also unveil the mediating role fieldworkers’ “felt responsibility” to beneficiaries’ plays in moderating the perceived negative impacts on aid effectiveness of upward accountability processes.Item Seeking “conversations for accountability”: Mediating the impact of non-governmental organization (NGO) upward accountability processes(Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 2017) Agyemang, G.; O’Dwyer, B.; Unerman, J; Awumbila, MPurpose The purpose of this paper is to ascertain how upward accountability processes can be enabling in, or constraining to, the effective deployment of development aid funding. Design/methodology/approach The paper derives its primary insights from in-depth interviews and focus groups with non-governmental organization (NGO) fieldworkers working and delivering development aid in Northern Ghana. It analyses inductively the perspectives of fieldworkers to explain their experiences of upward accountability. Findings The fieldworkers’ perception of upward accountability was mainly one of external control, in response to which they enacted a skilful form of compliance accountability. This perception of control failed to stifle their initiative and intrinsic commitment to beneficiaries. The fieldworkers craved “conversations for accountability”, in which they had a voice in the development of upward accountability metrics, thereby enabling them to fulfil their sense of felt responsibility to beneficiaries. While aspects of “conversations for accountability” were emerging in fieldworker-funder interactions, it was unclear to what extent funders were committed to further advancing them. Overall, the analysis unveils how felt responsibility mediates for, and partly diminishes, the perceived negative impacts on aid effectiveness of upward accountability processes informed by a focus on control. Originality/value The authors examine the potential of upward accountability processes using in-depth analyses of the actual experiences of those involved in delivering NGO services at the grassroots level. The authors contribute to emerging work in this vein by enriching the authors’ understanding of local constituencies’ experiences of accountability processes more generally, especially the impact these mechanisms have on NGO operational activities. The authors also unveil the mediating role fieldworkers’ “felt responsibility” to beneficiaries’ plays in moderating the perceived negative impacts on aid effectiveness of upward accountability processes