Browsing by Author "Musah, A."
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Item Call detail record aggregation methodology impacts infectious disease models informed by human mobility(PLOS Computational Biology, 2023) Gibbs, H.; Musah, A.; Ampofo, W.; et alThis paper demonstrates how two different methods used to calculate population-level mobility from Call Detail Records (CDR) produce varying predictions of the spread of epidemics informed by these data. Our findings are based on one CDR dataset describing inter-district movement in Ghana in 2021, produced using two different aggregation methodologies. One methodology, “all pairs,” is designed to retain long distance network connections while the other, “sequential” methodology is designed to accurately reflect the volume of travel between locations. We show how the choice of methodology feeds through models of human mobility to the predictions of a metapopulation SEIR model of disease transmission. We also show that this impact varies depending on the location of pathogen introduction and the transmissibility of infections. For central locations or highly transmissible diseases, we do not observe significant differences between aggregation methodologies on the predicted spread of disease. For less transmissible diseases or those introduced into remote locations, we find that the choice of aggregation methodology influences the speed of spatial spread as well as the size of the peak number of infections in individual districts. Our findings can help researchers and users of epidemiological models to understand how methodological choices at the level of model inputs may influence the results of models of infectious disease transmission, as well as the circumstances in which these choices do not alter model predictions.Item Corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD), corporate governance and the degree of multinational activities: Evidence from a developing economy(Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2018-02) Coffie, W.; Aboagye-Otchere, F.; Musah, A.Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of corporate governance and degree of multinational activities (DMAs) on corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) within the context of a developing country. Design/methodology/approach Using the annual report of 33 listed firms spanning from 2008 to 2013, the authors employed content analysis based on an adapted index score of CSRD developed by Hackston and Milne (1996) as applied in similar studies (e.g. Deegan et al., 2002; Hassan, 2014). Guided by the authors’ hypotheses, the authors model quantity and quality of CSRD (two separate econometric models) as functions of multinational activity and corporate governance. Findings The results show that the DMA has a positive association with both quality and quality of CSRD. The results also show that certain corporate governance characteristics such as board size (quality and quantity) as well as the presence of a social responsibility sub-committee of the board (quality) have a positive relationship with CSRD. However, increasing the number of non-executive directors (NEDs) may not necessarily improve the quantity or quality of disclosure. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by theory and geography. Theoretically, the study is based on the legitimacy theory and feels compelled to reiterate the importance of considering alternative theoretical perspective in future research. Again the study is limited geographically as the investigation is based on Ghana only and the authors suggest that future research be extended to other countries. Practical implications This study is important as it demonstrates the importance of providing quality of CSRD to stakeholders when the board of a firm has a sub-committee responsible for corporate social responsibility. Originality/value The results of the study extend the literature on CSRD by demonstrating a new evidence on how the degree of firm’s multinational activities together with corporate government mechanism affects both quantity and quality of CSRD in the context of unchartered developing country. The results support the theoretical view that companies engage in CSRD in attempt to legitimize their operations based on the pressure exerted on them and the mechanism put in place to respond to those pressures.Item Effectiveness of the National Malaria Control Programme in Akwapim South Municipality(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Musah, A.; Nabila, J.S.; Agyei-Mensah, S.Malaria control has received significant attention in the Akwapim South Municipality yet remains the highest cause of ill-health among the people. Not only must interventions be put in place but they must actually be effective in ensuring that malaria morbidity and mortality are eliminated. There have been series of strategies that have been implemented under the malaria control programme to control and prevent malaria. Despite the fact that interventions have been introduced, their effectiveness is in doubt since malaria still remains a major public health problem in the Akwapim South Municipality. The study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of this programme in terms of its outcomes on access to these interventions, knowledge on malaria and the overall impact of the strategies on trends of malaria prevalence among households in Akwapim South Municipality. The study used the cluster based sampling technique to solicit the views of 200 households using a questionnaire. Also, interviews with 20 health workers provided crucial qualitative data as well as the review of secondary data from the district and regional health offices. Other qualitative methods employed were in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with programme stakeholders and households who were the beneficiaries. The results show a significant increase in terms of coverage of most of the strategies. There is increased possession of insecticides treated nets (74%) of the 100% target by 2015. Despite the increases on access to the ITNs, their utilization remains low among households. All pregnant women who visited health facility were put on Intermittent Preventive Treatment for pregnant women as targeted to achieve by 2015. There was evidence of limited coverage of indoor residual spraying and likewise there was low access to prompt treatment of malaria. Overall, the malaria situation remains high with a prevalence of 67% of households reporting of malaria in the past two weeks. The study indicates a decrease in terms of malaria mortality. Against the target of achieving a 100% for all malaria cases confirmed before treatment by 2015, the findings showed that only 50% of malaria cases were confirmed before treatment. There was also an over concentration on the curative aspect of malaria cases than measures for prevention which are more likely to ensure sustainable malaria control. The key challenges of the programme included inadequate funding, low staffing and low involvement of the people. Poor involvement of the people led to low levels of acceptability. The study concludes by recommending that interventions of the malaria control programme in Akwapim South Municipality be repositioned in a way that increases the performance and effectiveness of the programme.Item Focus Marking in Kusaal(University of Ghana, 2019-03-27) Musah, A.In this paper, we highlight the strategies that are used to mark focus or place emphasis on elements in the Kusaal clausal construct. Following Dakubu (2005:18-21), we make a distinction between "broad" and "narrow" focus. As a result, we also make a formal distinction between Foc (initial cap only) and FOC (all caps) and relate the former form to broad focus and the latter to narrow focus. We thus differentiate between nɛ/-nɛ Foc and the -i clitic focus marker as opposed to the narrow focus marker, ka, and show that these are used almost always in exclusion of the other.Item The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on audit fees and audit report timeliness of listed firms in Ghana(Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group., 2023) Osei-Bonsu, I.; Musah, A.; Okyere, B.Abstract: The objective of the study is to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on audit fees and delays in the release of audit reports among the publicly listed entities in Ghana. The study sampled 35 listed firms over 5 years from 2017 to 2021 by extracting data from the annual report of the firms. The study relied on a panel regression model to estimate the extent to which COVID-19 predicts changes in audit fees and audit report timeliness among listed firms in Ghana. The analysis of the results revealed a positive coefficient between COVID-19 pandemic and audit fees and the positive coefficient was also statistically significant. The study also found a positive and statistically significant association between the COVID-19 pandemic and audit report timeliness which suggest that the pandemic resulted in the delay in the release of audit report among listed entities in Ghana. The combined effect of the two key findings is that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant influence on audit quality among listed firms in Ghana. The result has significant policy implications especially from the perspective of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana in terms of drawing auditors’ attention to the increased audit risk brought about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to compensate for that with the high-quality auditItem Recordkeeping and disaster management in public sector institutions in Ghana(Records Management Journal, 2018-04) Asamoah, C.; Akussah, H.; Musah, A.Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the disaster management procedures and measures adopted by public institutions in managing their information resources with a view to identifying possible problems and making recommendations for their resolution. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires, interviews and observation were used to collect data from 65 respondents from 19 ministries and five respondents from the Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the data collected for the study. Findings In the 19 ministries surveyed, the findings revealed high levels of unpreparedness to manage disasters concerning public records. The study also revealed the exposure of the ministries to various kinds of risks in their operations, and the lack of coordination between the heads of public sector institutions, NADMO and PRAAD. Also, inadequate budgetary allocation for the records department of the ministries and PRAAD was identified. Research limitations/implications The study concentrated on the headquarters (HQ) of the ministries because they are the administrative headquarters of public sector institutions and they make policies that are complied with by all the Regional and District branches as well as the Departments and Agencies in executing their tasks. The major limitation of the study was the inability of the researcher to cover all the ministries. Practical implications The recommendations made included cooperation among heads of the ministries, PRAAD and NADMO to develop a national information disaster management plan for the effective management of public records and information and a comprehensive program in public institutions to orientate staff on information disaster management. Social implications The study set the tone for public sector institutions and other institutions in the same area of operation to review the processes and procedures with regard to recordkeeping. Also, the study is anticipated to draw the attention of policy-makers (management of the ministries) and regulatory bodies in the field of records and disaster management (PRAAD and NADMO) to review their plans and policies to make provision for information disaster management. Originality/value The study is a research paper and critically looks at the disaster preparedness of public sector institutions in managing their records/information. It also examines whether there are any collaboration and coordination among public sector institutions in Ghana in having disaster preparedness and management plan to safeguard public records/information.