Browsing by Author "Mensah, M.O."
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Item Sovereign Credit Ratings, Funding Costs And Profitability: Evidence From Banks In Africa(University of Ghana, 2016-10) Mensah, M.O.This study set out to examine the effect of sovereign rating on funding cost and profitability of banks in Africa. Using over 300 banks operating in Africa from 2006 to 2012, the study investigates sovereign ratings‟ impact on bank profitability and funding cost. The long term domestic sovereign ratings announced by Fitch and Standard & Poor‟s during the period under study were used. The regressions were estimated using Prais-Winsten and the Generalized Method of Moments estimation approach. The findings of the study indicate that sovereign ratings upgrades have an inverse and statistically significant relationship with funding costs. Also, the regression results show that bank profitability is positively and significantly related to sovereign credit rating. The findings suggest that sovereign rating upgrades makes it easier for banks to access funds from the capital and global market at a cheaper cost compared to rating downgrades. The accessibility of funds at a cheaper cost translates to growth in profitability of banks. It is evidenced that markets are sensitive to rating changes and therefore react more to changes in sovereign rating. The study gives some important policy recommendations. It is recommended that governments should actively pursue actions to improve credit ratings for instance payment of debt on time reduces the rate of default and this brings about rating upgrades. From the results sovereign credit rating upgrade is one of the major means to attract funds into the country at a cheaper cost. In addition, the study recommends that in making investment and funding decisions, sovereign rating should be considered since the evidence suggests that it can reduce bank risk and improve profitability.Item Sustained Effects Of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Provided During The First 1000 Days On Child Growth At 9–11 Y In A Randomized Controlled Trial In Ghana(The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2023) Bentil, H.J.; Adu-Afarwuah, S.; Mensah, M.O.; et al.Background: There is limited research on whether nutritional supplementation in the first 1000 days affects long-term child outcomes. We previously demonstrated that pre- and postnatal small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) increased birth weight and child length at 18 months of age in Ghana. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of pre- and postnatal SQ-LNS on child growth and blood pressure at 9–11 years. Methods: In the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS)-DYAD-Ghana trial, 1320 females ~20 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to receive daily: iron and folic acid (IFA) during pregnancy and placebo during 6 months postpartum or multiple micronutrients (MMNs) during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum, or SQ-LNS during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum, and for their children aged from 6 to 18 months. We re-enrolled 966 children aged 9–11 years and assessed child blood pressure, height-for-age z-score (HAZ), body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-score, waist-to-height ratio, triceps skinfold, and midupper arm circumference. We compared SQ-LNS with control (IFA þ MMN) groups, adjusting for the child’s age. Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) of HAZ in the SQ-LNS and control groups was 0.04 (0.96) and 0.16 (0.99); P ¼ 0.060. There were no indications of group differences in the other outcomes (P > 0.10). Effects on HAZ varied by child sex (P-interaction ¼ 0.075) and maternal prepregnancy BMI (kg/ m2 ; P-interaction ¼ 0.007). Among females, HAZ was higher in the SQ-LNS [0.08 (1.04)] than in the control group [0.16 (1.01)] (P ¼ 0.010); among males, SQ-LNS [0.16 (0.85)] and control groups [0.16 (0.96)] did not differ (P ¼ 0.974). Among children of females with BMI of <25, HAZ was higher in the SQ-LNS [0.04 (1.00)] than in the control group [0.29 (0.94)] (P ¼ 0.004); among females with BMI of 25, SQ-LNS [0.04 (0.91)] and control groups [0.07 (1.00)] did not differ (P ¼ 0.281). Conclusions: There is a sustained impact of prenatal and postnatal SQ-LNS on linear growth among female children and children whose mothers were not overweight