Department of Public Administration and Health Service Management
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://197.255.125.131:4000/handle/123456789/4884
Browse
189 results
Search Results
Item Conditionality, Citizenship And The Impact Of Cash Transfer Programmes In Ghana(University of Ghana, 2022-04) Kotey, R.N.Research on cash transfer programmes focuses on how they affect human capital development and poverty alleviation. It is well-established that people living in poverty face challenges that surpass their ability to meet their daily needs. Addressing challenges that meet the needs of people living in poverty is an effective way of improving the uptake of citizenship rights among them. This study aims to determine whether cash transfer programmes influence the uptake of citizenship rights among beneficiaries. In addition, the study investigates whether conditions attached to cash transfer programmes influence their beneficiaries' uptake of citizenship rights. It also looks at how local capacities support the implementation of conditional cash transfer programmes. Two cash transfer programmes, Ghana Luxembourg Social Trust (GLST) which strictly monitors and enforces its conditions and Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) which minimally monitors its conditions are tested for their influence on the uptake of citizenship rights among their beneficiaries. Shai-Osudoku and Ningo-Prampram Districts have been adopted as case studies for this study. The study used the concurrent mixed-methods approach involving the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Data were analysed using contingency tables for the quantitative and thematic analysis for the qualitative study. Findings reveal that cash transfer programmes positively influence the uptake of citizenship rights. However, the dimensions of this influence differ or are similar depending on the contextual factors on the ground in Shai-Osudoku and Ningo-Prampram districts. Contextual factors include the level of education of people who are three years and older in the district, the level of poverty in the district and the number of persons per household in the district. The study also indicates that conditionality influences the uptake of human capital development activities and that local-level capacities must be taken into consideration when implementing a CCT programme. These findings reveal that strict monitoring and enforcement of conditions attached to cash transfer programme influence the uptake of citizenship rights by their beneficiaries better than minimal monitoring and enforcement. On this basis, the strict monitoring and enforcement of conditions should be taken into consideration when designing conditional cash transfer programme for effective behavioural changes among beneficiaries.Item Effects Of Partisan Politics And Citizen Participation On Local Economic Development Initiatives Implementation: The Case Of Ga-East And La-Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assemblies(University Of Ghana, 2021-09) Abdulai, M.G.; ;Item The Effect Of Fiscal Decentralisation On Local Economic Development: A Case Of Kwahu South Municipal Assembly.(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Mintah, K.O.The concept of decentralisation and Local Economic Development has become a concern to most scholars since “top-down state-led” interventions have been ineffective when resolving economic development issues in various localities. The ineffectiveness of “top-down state-led” has necessitated the need for Local Economic Development (LED), which is a bottom-up approach to economic development. Despite the immense benefit of LED activities, it is still rife with some challenges, such as lack of funds and poor coordination among the various stakeholders and partners involved in LED. A qualitative research approach, a case study design and a sample of 36 made up of the staff of Kwahu South Municipality, assemblymen, community members and private sector business owners were adopted for this study. This study sought to determine how fiscal decentralisation contributes to Local Economic Development (LED), the extent to which community members and private sector organisations are involved in LED activities, and the constraints of these actors in LED initiatives. The findings of the study revealed that fiscal decentralisation has contributed to human resource development, infrastructural activities, and business start-ups. The study’s findings also revealed that community members and private businesses are involved in LED activities. However, there are some constraints associated with the involvement of these actors in LED activities. Notable among these constraints are operational issues, lack of transparency, and apathy. Therefore, this study recommends that there should be effective coordination among various stakeholders or actors involved in LED activities, effective revenue mobilisation, and encouraging more of Public-Private Partnerships to enhance LED activities.Item Analysis Of The Causes Of Low Budget Reliability In Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-06) Bigodza, E.K.The goal of every government is to ensure that budgets reflect the intended plans, actions, and policy directions of the government (budget reliability). The quality of the Public Financial Management systems is largely a consequence of fiscal discipline and macroeconomic stability. Among these factors include the governance systems, the role of the actors, the effectiveness of institutions, and the level of economic growth. Ghana over the decades has performed poorly in ensuring budget reliability despite several reforms implemented to improve the country’s performance. This raises a primary concern about the underlying factors causing budget deviations. Although earlier studies have largely attributed these causes to technical challenges, it is the argument of this study that issues of budget deviations need to be examined in the bigger social context. The social context largely determines the adherence and the enforcement of these institutional arrangements. The study argued that it does mean that if there are adequate resources and institutions are well established, it will necessarily mean that the expected outcomes will be achieved. Until one understands the nature of holding power in society and how power is used in shaping how institutions are either implemented or subverted, one cannot offer a sufficient explanation about the causes of budget deviations. Findings of the study revealed that significantly, institutional weakness because of political interreference, the nature of formal rules, government “flagship” programs, and non-adherence accounts largely for these deviations. Also, many of the “sins” identified appeared to have been committed by the principal (political elite) and not necessarily the agents (bureaucrats). This, therefore, calls for a rethinking of reforms to target the behaviour of the political elites that will guarantee the adherence to the rules of budgeting and the public financial management practices in Ghana.Item Adherence To Covid-19 Protocols: A Comparative Study Of Public And Private Hospitals In Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Issah, M.A.In hospitals around the world, the high incidence of reported infection of COVID-19 is attributed to lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE's), insufficient knowledge of already defined guidelines, and inability to adhere to the safety protocols at the workplace. Adherence to COVID-19 protocols is influenced by several dimensions dependent on the health facilities. As there is wide variation in factors associated with adherence to protocols, it is likely that adherence levels also vary between public and private facilities. The objective of the research was to comparatively examine how public and private hospitals adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and factors associated with adherence in Ghana. A case study design, using the mixed-method approach was employed. Quantitatively, 283 staff of public and private hospitals were sampled whereas 5 respondents were interviewed. Data were analyzed using frequencies, independent t-test analysis to compare the level of adherence between public and private hospitals, and a logistic regression model to identify the factors associated with COVID-19 adherence to protocols. The logistic regression analysis established that the main factors that influenced adherence to COVID-19 protocols in public and private hospitals were: training of staff on adherence in public (OR=2.08; p < 0.01) and private (OR=1.44; p < 0.05) hospitals, and knowledge on adherence in public (OR=3.12; p < 0.01) and private (OR=11.45; p < 0.01) hospitals. Adherence to protocols significantly varied between public and private hospitals (0.001 > p < 0.05) with an effect size ranging from small to large. The study findings indicate that public hospitals adhered more to the COVID-19 protocols than private hospitals. The study recommends concerted efforts from government and stakeholders to assist private hospitals with health equipment and PPEs to aid them in the fight against the virus and any other infectious diseaseItem Mainstreaming Women Participation In Local Economic Development Decision Making At The Local Levels: The Case Of Adenta Municipal Assembly(University of Ghana, 2023-05) Dzokoto, K. E.Women constitute more than half of the world’s population, their involvement and participation in all development processes is pivotal for inclusive development. However, “gender inequalities hamper the equal and significant participation of women in Local Economic Development processes. The issue of women’s participation in development, decision making and most importantly, governance, has gained global attention and has necessitated considerable efforts at both international and local levels to bridge the inequality gap between men and women’s participation in governance. Whereas previous studies have focused on gender participation in local economic development processes, little studies are found on mainstreaming women participation in LED implementation and processes at the local government level, thereby creating a gap in knowledge. The study revealed that women are fairly represented on the district LED sub-committee. They form less than one-third of the general assembly membership, needed to take major decisions. This composition does not favor the women as much as it favors men. It is therefore recommended that, there should be complete application of gender responsive approaches in all phases of the LED cycle in district planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation processes to promote women mainstreaming.Item Doctor-Patient Communication In Ghana: A Comparative Study Between Public And Private Hospitals(University of Ghana, 2020-10) Kassim, J.B.Effective doctor-patient communication enhances healthcare outcomes such as patient satisfaction and adherence to therapeutic instructions. Globally, poor communication between doctors and their patients has been reported in many studies. In Ghana, it has been reported that patients are confronted with long waiting times without any explanations from providers, abusive attitudes of some healthcare providers, inappropriate communication on the part of providers. Despite the benefits and challenges of effective doctor-patient communication, most studies have focused on general health service quality with little attention being paid to the exploration of communication quality. The main objective of this study was to examine communication among doctors and patients in public and private hospitals in Ghana. Quantitative research method and convenient sampling technique were used. A total of four hundred and three (403) respondents were recruited. Data were analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 20. Quantitative results were presented using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, cross tabulation using chi-square test, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis. Though communication quality was found to be satisfactory in both public and private hospitals, it was found to be better in the private hospital than the public one. However, four communication barriers were identified. There was a significant association between overall communication quality and the following: facility type, gender and educational level. Two of the Four Habits Model (Habits 3 & 4) and facility type were found to be significant predictors of overall communication quality. It is recommended that management of health facilities use the Four Habits Model as a blueprint to ensure effective communication.Item Effects Of Advertisement On Alcohol Consumption Among Students Of University Of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-06) Bremini, J.In recent times, alcoholism has become very common among youth. The growing incidence of alcohol consumption among the youth has become a topical issue within healthcare industry because of its potential negative effects especially on student youth. To address these concerns, this study sought to identify the student youth source of information on alcohol consumption, explore their knowledge level on harmful alcohol consumption, benefits they derived from alcohol consumption and the existing national policies and their enforceability around advertising alcoholic beverages. The mixed method research design was used for the study. A total of 530 questionnaires were used to collect data from the students. Simple random and purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the students and authorities of food and drugs authority as well as advertising association of Ghana. The television set is the most watched media channel for adverts on alcoholic beverages. Majority, approximately 215 (41%) strongly agreed that, harmful alcohol consumption can cause a student to fail academic work. Closed to 299 (56%) and 172 (32%) of the participants nullified the assertion that, alcohol can enhance studies. There are existing policies and laws regulating alcoholic adverts and consumption but their enforceability is a challenge. Students have appreciable level of knowledge on alcohol consumption, its negative and positive effects. However, the absence of enforceability to regulate its consumption is a bane to controlling its intake.Item Exploring The Emergence Of Pockets Of Productive State-Owned Enterprises In Developing Countries: A Comparative Study Of Two State-Owned Media Enterprises In Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Koto, I.M.Many scholars have found that, in the midst of ineffective and unproductive states in developing countries, there exists exceptionally well-performing public organizations that deliver their mandates effectively and productively. There is renewed research to understand why and how these pockets of effective and productive public organizations managed to emerge and persist in a context where failure of public organizations is the norm. The study explored the factors that have accounted for the emergence of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) as a pocket of productive state-owned enterprise in comparison to another state-owned media enterprise called New Times Corporation (NTC). NTC has struggled to make profit although it was converted into a limited liability company on the same date as GCGL in 1998. The research used opinion survey data collected from employees of NTC and GCGL, interviews with officials both organizations, and interviews with newspaper vendors as the primary data for answering the question of why and how GCGL emerged as a pocket of profitable enterprise. The study found that GCGL and NTC have had the same focused legal powers since the 1970s and they operate in the same free market economy. Consequently, these two public policy factors could not have accounted for the emergence of GCGL as a pocket of productivity at the expense of NTC. The factors that accounted for the emergence of GCGL as a pocket of productivity were performance-oriented management system and organizational proactivity pursued by the leaders of GCGL. The study recommend that reforms to improve the productivity of state-owned enterprises should move beyond enactment of formal-legal policies to focus on building performance-oriented management culture as well as promote organizational proactivity in the market.Item Healthcare Quality And Patient Satisfaction At Internaitonal Maritime Hospital-Ghana Ports And Harbours Authority (GPHA), Tema.(University of Ghana, 2019-06) Inkoom, I.Y.N.The overall aim of the study was to examine healthcare quality and patient satisfaction at the International Maritime Hospital of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Tema. The study employed mixed research approach with questionnaires as its major instrument for data collection. A total of 75 respondents participated in questionnaire administration with 74 being correctly filled and returned accordingly. Respondents included patients and healthcare providers, either nurses, doctors or administrators. The study reveals that, patients hold average expectations whilst having positive perception about the services provided by the hospital particularly in areas like reliability, assurance, responsiveness and empathy. Further, the study reveals that, patients are satisfied with the service provision of the hospital in general and specifically in areas like responsiveness, empathy, reliability and that patients highly are satisfied with the services of nurses greatly than doctors of the hospital. Following this, the study recommends that, management of the hospital should draw policies that is centered on responsiveness, reliability and assurance and empathy as this will help meet the needs and expectations of patients.