Browsing by Subject "Analysis"

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Accident Reporting and Analysis in Forestry: Guidance on Increasing the Safety of Forest Work
(United Nations, 2018) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Analysis of Livelihood Strategies of Farm Households in Southern Benin
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Azannai, U.I.W
Gaining insight into the livelihood strategies adopted by farmers is crucial for the success of interventions aiming at improving livelihood in rural areas. This study assessed the livelihood strategies adopted by farm households in southern Benin. The study was carried out in Allada and Bonou, districts located in the southern region of Benin which was purposively selected for their noticeable agrarian and economic activities. A total of 160 farm households were randomly sampled and data was collected through interview with a structured questionnaire. The two-sample t-test was used to compare sources of household income in terms of the livelihood strategies adopted by farmers. The multinomial logit model was applied to investigate the factors influencing the households ‘choice of livelihood strategies. The Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) was used to estimate the vulnerability level in Allada and Bonou districts. The results revealed that in southern Benin, farming activities produce increasingly higher share of household income. Household age, gender of household, total farm size, membership in cooperative organization, marital status, the use of improved varieties and participation in social leadership were the determinants that significantly influence the adoption of alternative livelihood strategies. The LVI in the southern region was (0.31) with a very critical social network component (0.48). This implied that farm households in southern Benin were less vulnerable but vulnerable with respect to the social network component. Due to the fact that farm households in southern Benin mainly derived their income sources from farming activities, and were also vulnerable with respect to the social network component. The study recommends that livelihood interventions protection and promotion should be considered by all actors; national and international government, NGOs and local institutions.
Analysis Of Post Harvest Losses In The Mango Marketing Channel In Southern Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Boateng, C.N.
National data on post-harvest loss of mango fruits is estimated to be between 20% to 60%. This constitutes a huge financial loss to all actors. The major obstacles in dealing with this challenge are little knowledge of the nature of the marketing channels, absence of exact estimates, stages along the marketing channel where the losses occur as well as the socio-economic factors that lead to the losses. The study assessed the nature of the marketing channel, estimated losses at each stage of the channel, and identified causes and determinants of losses at various stages of the marketing channel. The study was conducted in three (3) major mango producing regions in southern Ghana (i.e. Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta regions), four (4) Municipalities and Districts in eight (8) communities. Multistage sampling method was used to select 180 respondents. Data was collected through interview with a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential methods. Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance (W) was used to measure the level of agreement between rankers of the causes of post-harvest losses. SPSS was used for the descriptive statistics and the Tobit regression was used to identify determinants of post-harvest losses. The study revealed that the most preferred channel was farmer to processor to consumer. The first four most prevailing causes of loss of fruits along the marketing channel were pest, disease, mechanical damage and uneven ripening. Retailer level had the highest losses of 23.6% while processors recorded the least of 5.3%. Age of respondents, packaging, transportation, length of storage and training significantly influence post-harvest losses. The study recommended more use of farmer to processor channel, adoption of modern handling practices, training of actors and establishment of storage and processing facilities in the area.
Analysis of Sanitation Promotion Strategies of Kaneshie Market Complex, Accra
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Oduro, Y.A
This study sought to investigate the sanitation promotion strategies in the Kaneshie Market Complex. It looked at actual activities, access to water and sanitation hardware and participation of stakeholders in promoting sanitation. The qualitative study design was used for the study. A total of fifty people made up of ten officials, twenty tenants and twenty customers were purposively selected to respond to a number of questions on sanitation in the market. Interview guides were therefore prepared and interviews were conducted. Responses were later grouped under main topics in line with the objectives and research questions. The study revealed mostly preventive strategies with several activities targeted at promoting sanitation in the market. The activities include sweeping, washing of floors, organization of clean-up exercises, spraying and fumigation, use of sanctions and punishments. There are also several sources of water, toilet facilities and other sanitation promotion hardware. In terms of stakeholder participation, those with responsible roles in sanitation promotion are doing quite well. However, their works are fraught with challenges in areas of staffing, financing, population growth, attitude and behavioural problems as well as power crisis. The major drawback in sanitation in the market is waste collection which is under the prerogative of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and inability of the service providers to meet their demand has (A become a source of worry to the management of the market. It is therefore suggested that the market expands its infrastructural base to absorb the growing population of traders in order to increase its control in sanitation. In addition, management must look at other technologies in waste management that can draw organisations who need the residues as raw materials, and also use the water and improved sanitation facilities to recover cost of sanitation promotion.
Analysis Of The Cassava Value Chains And Economic Implications On Actors In Southern Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2017-07) Manu, I.
Currently, the cassava crop is transiting from a staple food commodity into an industrial crop for the production of starch and ethanol and this suggests probable changes in marketing arrangements and conditions. The present study analysed the cassava chains and the economic implications on actors in Southern Ghana. The value chain actors interviewed include cassava farmers and small-scale (gari and agbelima) processors who were selected randomly and large-scale cassava processors, purposively selected from the Volta, Eastern and Central regions of Ghana. The field survey was conducted in October and November 2016. The study describes a value chain map for cassava using an organogram and uses percentage distribution of respondents to describe the nature of trust, type of governance structure, and upgrading along the value chain. It used the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) to assess market concentration. The value-added and its distribution, return to labour in the value chain and competitiveness of value-added activities were analysed. The analysis on gross and net value added used the production and income account approach. Measures of competitiveness employed in the study include the estimation of social and private profit using the Policy Analysis Matrix. From the Policy Analysis Matrix the domestic resource cost coefficient, private cost ratio, private value added ratio, among other were estimated. The results obtained for level of trust relationships along the cassava value chains were mixed. Generally, the findings suggest that a captive market and a market governance structures exist between cassava farmers and their buyers, small-scale (gari and agbelima) processors and their buyers respectively. Modular governance exists between large-scale cassava processors and their buyers. There is low process and product upgrading among smallholder farmers, while the process upgrading by large-scale cassava processors is high. The estimates of the HHI for cassava farmers, small-scale processors are low, suggesting low market power and thus, inability of a cassava farmer and small-scale processors to influence the price of their respective products. However, estimate of the HHI for large-scale (high quality cassava flour, cassava starch and cake) processors is very high, suggesting their market is concentrated. Analysis of the distribution of gross value-added in the cassava value chains shows that the production of high quality cassava flour generates the highest gross value-added of 36%. In addition, high quality cassava flour generates the highest profit of 58%. It came out from the study that Southern Ghana is efficient in the production of cassava, agbelima, gari, high quality cassava flour and cassava starch. On average, a domestic resource cost coefficient of 0.110 is obtained. The study recommends, among others that policy to increase production should focus on improving the capacity of small-scale processors who represent a less concentrated segment of the value chain and a major market for smallholder farmers. Improvement of the capacity of farmers and small-scale processors is also necessary to ensure process, product and functional upgrading. Farmers and small-scale processors should be given technical and credit support, which could help to modernize the cassava value chains in the long term. Cassava and its value added activities should become an important tool in poverty reduction and food security in Ghana. The study further recommends that value chain actors are incentivized and protected.
Lente, I.; Institute of Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of GhanaGhana
(West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014-01) Lente, I.; Ofosu-Anim, J; Brimah, A.K; Atiemo, S.
Heavy metal concentrations in irrigation water (samples =120), soil (samples =144) and edible parts of both exotic and traditional vegetables (samples = 240) irrigated with wastewater from some parts of Accra were studied. The concentrations of heavy metals in mg/l were quantified in wastewater from Accra and groundwater at Mampong as Fe (0.67; 1.00), Mn (0.78; 0.31), Cu (0.06; 0.07), Zn (0.14; 0.13), Pb (0.08; 0.12), Ni (0.06; 0.13), Cr (< 0.006), Cd (< 0.002) and Co (< 0.005), soil Fe (164.38; 162.92), Mn (39.39; 20.09), Cu (7.21; 6.13), Zn (6.03; 7.45), Pb (9.31; 7.63), Ni (5.00; 2.97), Cr (0.51;0.85), Cd (0.07;0.09) and Co (0.73;0.87), and vegetables from Accra and Mampong. The wastewater used for irrigation had the highest concentration (mg/l) of Mn (0.78), followed by Fe (0.67), Zn (0.14), Pb (0.08), Cu (0.06), Ni (0.06) while Cr, Cd and Co were below detection limits. Fe (164.38; 162.92), Mn (39.39; 20.09), Cu (7.21; 6.13), Pb (9.31; 7.63) and Ni (5.00; 2.97) levels were higher in wastewater irrigated soils than groundwater irrigated soils, respectively. However, average values were all below the FAO/WHO recommended mean levels in mg/l for wastewater and soil as Fe (5.00; 50,000), Mn (0.20; 2,000), Cu (0.20; 100), Zn (2.00; 300), Pb (5.00; 100), Ni (0.20; 50.00), Cr (0.10;50.00), Cd (0.01;3.00) and Co (0.05;100), respectively. Concentration levels of heavy metals (mg/kg) in vegetables crops analysed from all sites were not elevated except for Pb in cabbage, (10.51), lettuce (10.19), green pepper (9.44), hot pepper (7.61) and ayoyo (9.05) compared to the FAO/WHO maximum recommended limit of 0.30 mg/kg for Pb. Health risk assessments showed that hazard indexes for the crops were below 1 (USEPA), indicating that normal consumption of vegetables analysed pose no risk from heavy metal toxicities. However, to prevent any chronic health risk and extent of heavy metal contamination, steps must be taken to reduce human activities at the sites. Regular monitoring of heavy metals in the vegetables grown in wastewater irrigated areas is also necessary. © 2014 Ecological Laboratory. All rights reserved.
Longitudinal Analysis Of Cereal Yields In Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Amoah, A.K
The aim of this study was to investigate cereal crop yields in Ghana. Specifically, this research determines whether there is a significant difference in the yields across the ten regions in Ghana and also finds out the evolution of crop yields among the regions. Data on two major cereal crops (Maize and Rice) produced and consumed in Ghana was attained from Ministry of food and Agriculture (MOFA). Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Linear Mixed model (LMM) were employed for the study. Diagnostic plots for the fitted Linear Mixed Model and MANOVA revealed a valid model for the analysis. The study revealed that significant differences exist in the yields of the two major cereal crops in all the regions in Ghana. The study identified that significant differences occurred in the average yields of most regions’ yields with other regions for both maize and rice. Further analysis by LMM indicated that the yields of maize and rice varied between and within the regions of Ghana. It also indicated that there is decelerating trend in maize yields and gradual increasing trend in rice yields across all the regions in Ghana. Based on these findings, we recommend that intensive support in the form of credit facilities and farm inputs must be given to farmers who engage in cereal crops production in all the regions in Ghana to help reduce this variability in the two major cereal crop yields. Also maize production especially must be encourage in all the regions to help avenge the declining trend in the yields of maize as it is considered the most consumed cereal crop in Ghana. We further recommend the use of Joint Models to simultaneously study the trend of crops and also study factors such as rainfall and climate data which may influence cereal crop production in Ghana.
Managerial role in organizational CSR: Empirical lessons from Ghana
(Corporate Governance (Bingley), 2014-01) Abugre, J.B.
Purpose ‐ The purpose of this paper is to examine the managerial role in the practices of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in developing economies. Design/methodology/approach ‐ The paper takes the form of an empirical analysis of employees' opinions based on a quantitative survey of 100 middle and senior level managers from four organisations chosen from relatively high impact industry sectors. Findings ‐ Managerial role in the practice of CSR is limited and ineffective in Ghana. Difficulties of effective CSR implementation mainly stem from leadership weak spots in the form of mismanagement and corruption, lack of leadership commitment and unwillingness to allocate monies due for CSR activities. Organisations can do better in the practice of CSR if management's attitude to CSR, corruption, and work behaviors are positive. Practical implications ‐ The paper provides valuable information on managerial activities with regards to organisational CSR, and how these can be improved. Originality/value ‐ Empirical literature on CSR in developing countries is limited. This paper identifies the roles that management and organisational leadership can play in the practice of CSR in developing countries. The paper proposes a universal approach which aims to address the need for adequate and effective enforcement of CSR.
A Political Economy Analysis of Ghana’s School Feeding Programme
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Afrane, O.O; Alidu, S.M; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, Centre for Migration Studies
The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) was introduced as strategic policy to improve the income of beneficiary communities, increase school enrolment and retention and for the achievement of the MDG 2 by the year 2015. In spite of the good intentions of the GSF programme however, it has been bedeviled with a myriad of challenges. Few examples of the challenges identified were; the lack of strict adherence to the carefully written original policy document of the GSFP; the partial payment and delay in payment for the services of caterers; and the banning of the monitoring and evaluation team from doing their work in certain districts due to the powerful role of some political appointees such as the District Chief Executives (DCE‟s) in the implementation of the programme. It was therefore against this background of challenges that the study sought to ascertain how the beneficiaries of GSFP in the Bosomtwe District of Ashanti Region understand the Actors; Institutions and Ideas that pertain to the implementation of the programme and its realization of the MDG 2. A Political Economy Analysis Framework was employed for the study and literature related to political economy and the subject matter was reviewed to reflect on the objectives. A descriptive and explorative survey design was employed in the study. The findings suggested that beneficiaries have little or no idea about the original policy objectives of the GSFP in relation to the actors, institutions and ideas and why certain key political appointees are selected to manage the programme. However, it was also revealed in the findings that the achievement of the universal primary education by the end of 2015 will be difficult to achieve if not impossible. It is strongly recommended that policy makers should include beneficiary communities in the part of the consultation processes in the uptake of a social intervention programme. The study also recommend that the programme is sustain in order to ensure that children are kept in school especially girl child.
The World Guide to CSR: A Country-by-Country Analysis. In: Analysis of Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility (Ghana)
(GTZ, 2010) Ofori, D.F.
Although CSR took root in Ghana in the mid 1950s, fragments could already be found in 1939, when the National Liberation Council (NLC) government investigated cases of corruption in Ghana. Literature on CSR in Ghana is still evolving as research attempts are being made to understand the nature and form of CSR in Ghana and the entire West African region. There are no Ghana-specific CSR models. Research suggests that in Ghana CSR concepts are played out in the education, health, community development, sports and philanthropic areas (Ofori 2005, 2006; 2007, 2009; Ofori and Hinson 2007; Ofori and Ofori 2009). Ghana CSR activities broadly follow Carroll’s (1979) and more recently, BSR’s (2004) model which define CSR from four dimensions: economic, legal, ethical and discretionary. However, it is evident that in Ghana, a lot of philanthropic actions are executed under the discretionary mode (Visser et al. 2006)