Determinants of Bank Deposits in Ghana: A Cointegration Approcah

The study investigates the influence of selected macroeconomic and financial level variables on bank deposits in Ghana. It specifically examines the dynamic effect of deposit interest rate, inflation, monetary policy rate, growth of money supply and stock prices (All Share Index) on the level of bank deposits. The dataset for the study consisted of quarterly data spanning the years of 2000 to 2013 gathered from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) monetary time series database and the World development Indicator (WDI) database. Employing a Co-integration analysis and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS), both short and long run elasticity’s of the model are estimated. The preliminary test for unit root indicated that all the variables are integrated of order one (an I (1) process) and the co-integration revealed the presence of one co-integrating equation. Empirical findings form the study indicates a significantly negative short-term impact of both inflation and growth of money supply of bank deposits in Ghana. The long-run effects of the various independent variables on bank deposit are also discussed. Some of the variables conformed to priori expectations, albeit insignificant. Appropriate measures are also recommended based on the findings thereof

Determinants of Bank Deposits in Ghana: A Cointegration Approcah

The study investigates the influence of selected macroeconomic and financial level variables on bank deposits in Ghana. It specifically examines the dynamic effect of deposit interest rate, inflation, monetary policy rate, growth of money supply and stock prices (All Share Index) on the level of bank deposits. The dataset for the study consisted of quarterly data spanning the years of 2000 to 2013 gathered from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) monetary time series database and the World development Indicator (WDI) database. Employing a Co-integration analysis and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS), both short and long run elasticity’s of the model are estimated. The preliminary test for unit root indicated that all the variables are integrated of order one (an I (1) process) and the co-integration revealed the presence of one co-integrating equation. Empirical findings form the study indicates a significantly negative short-term impact of both inflation and growth of money supply of bank deposits in Ghana. The long-run effects of the various independent variables on bank deposit are also discussed. Some of the variables conformed to priori expectations, albeit insignificant. Appropriate measures are also recommended based on the findings thereof

The process of adjustment of ex-formandi: An exploratory study

In line with the Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) method, this study sought to explore the experiences in the process of adjustment of ex-formandi (young men and women who came out of formation programs, where they had been training to become priests, religious brothers and sisters), after they returned to the secular world. Twelve participants made up the sample for the study, comprising 8 women and 4 men. Out of these, 6 participants withdrew themselves, 4 were asked to leave, and a further 2 who were guided to see the need, and consequently, applied themselves to go out. Using the CQR method, the domains abstracted from the analysis of the data produced the following: Entry Motivations, Reasons for Exit, Transition Experiences, Protective Factors against Maladjustment, and, Risk Factors for Adjustment. These formed the bases for the discussions. A panel of two readers/raters and also, an auditor, were used to discuss and arrive at consensus at various sections of the study, thereby also increasing the credibility of the study. The study shows that ex-formandi go through a fairly similar path of adjustment: The Termination or Pre-Departure stage, The Exit, The stage of Transition Experiences, and the stage in which they find themselves now - whether maladjusted with emotional hang-ups, or having moved on finely. The study concludes that candidates asked to leave are more likely to face the most of adjustment problems. Given those findings, the researcher recommended that an exit counseling intervention be initiated for ex-formandi. It is postulated that this study will give useful insights to the helping professionals and the formation ministry in the church in aiding ex-formandi

Rainfall Projections from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 in the Volta River Basin: Implications on Achieving Sustainable Development

Climate change has become a global issue, not only because it affects the intensity and frequency of rainfall but also because it impacts the economic development of regions whose economies heavily rely on rainfall, such as the West African region. Hence, the need for this study, which is aimed at understanding how rainfall may change in the future over the Sahel, Savannah, and coastal zones of the Volta River Basin (VRB). The trends and changes in rainfall between 2021–2050 and 1985–2014 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) scenarios were analyzed after evaluating the performance of three climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) using Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) as observation. The results show, in general, a relatively high correlation and low spatial biases for rainfall (r > 0.91, −20% < Pbias < 20%) over the entire Volta Basin for the models’ ensemble mean. An increasing trend and projected increase in annual rainfall under the SSP2-4.5 scenario is 6.0% (Sahel), 7.3% (Savannah), and 2.6% (VRB), but a decrease of 1.1% in the coastal zone. Similarly, under SSP5-8.5, the annual rainfall is projected to increase by 32.5% (Sahel), +22.8% (Savannah), 23.0% (coastal), and 24.9% (VRB), with the increase being more pronounced under SSP5-8.5 compared to the SSP2-4.5 scenario. The findings of the study would be useful for planning and designing climate change adaptation measures to achieve sustainable development at the VRB

An increase in temperature under the shared socioeconomic scenarios in the Volta River Basin, West Africa: implications for economic development

This study examined the temperature variations in West Africa's Volta River Basin (VRB) from 2021 to 2050 in comparison to the historical period (1985–2014) under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathway Scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). Datasets from three Global Climate Models (GCMs) of the sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) were used. The GCMs and their ensemble were evaluated on a monthly scale. The study used the ensemble mean to analyse the changes in annual and monthly temperature over the Sahel, Savannah, Guinea Coast, and the entire Volta basin. The results demonstrate the individual GCMs reproduced the observed temperature pattern at the VRB, though with some overestimations, but the ensemble mean indicated a better representation of the observed temperature. A warming trend in the basin is projected under both climate scenarios, with higher temperatures projected under SSP5-8.5 compared to SSP2-4.5 in all three zones. The mean annual temperature is projected to increase by 0.8 and 1.0 °C, with a statistically increasing trend under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, respectively. Without a doubt, high temperatures, if unchecked, can erupt into resource conflict among the competing interest groups, thereby affecting the achievement of economic development at the VRB. HIGHLIGHTS The study contributes to understanding climate change impacts on economic development.; Temperature in VRB to rise up to 1 °C by 2050.; Temperature rise will lead to water shortages, extinction of fish species, and livelihood loss.; Temperature rise could lead to droughts, pest invasion, reduced crop yields, food security, and economic growth.; VRB is home to large hydropower dams, which could be affected by temperature rise.

Road improvement enhances smallholder productivity and reduces forest encroachment in Ghana

Agriculture employs about 70% of the active labour force, yet contributes only 30% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Sub-Saharan Africa. About 60% of African farmers cultivate mainly for household consumption on 2–2.5 ha of land and depend upon roads to access local and regional markets. Forest encroachment by smallholder farmers is a major cause of deforestation in Africa. We used regression analysis to determine the degree to which road improvement influenced farm size, forest encroachment and market participation in rural Ghana. We obtained data on household size and characteristics and farm plot size from 300 farmers in 10 communities. Farms accessible by improved roads had stable or slightly declining areas under cultivation. Improved roads led to better market integration, more use of farm inputs and higher yields. Farmers in areas with unpaved roads used fewer inputs, had less market penetration and were forced to encroach on forests for additional farmland to increase production. Our evidence suggests that linking rural people more efficiently to markets by improving roads will encourage commercial farming and reduce farm expansion into forests. Improved agriculture alone will not limit forest encroachment. Enforcement of forest protection regulations will also be needed to restrict encroachment