Apprenticeship Training System In Ghana: Processes, Institutional Dynamics And Challenges

Ghana’s informal apprenticeship system has been an important part of its informal economy, particularly for its role as a complimentary means of skills transfer and the development of the nation’s human capital required for the overall national development. In spite of its role, little attention has been paid to this sector over the years. This study interrogates and documents the processes, institutional dynamics and challenges that confront the informal apprenticeship system of Ghana a means of skills acquisition and transfer in the wake of the ever changing social and economic conditions in Ghana. The study adopted both exploratory and descriptive approaches. Using quota sampling technique, 200 questionnaires were distributed among four broad trades namely; wood workers; auto mechanics; textile and apparel; and beauticians and hair dressers. This was complimented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The study revealed that the system provides an alternative path for nearly 33 per cent of students who drop out before completing Junior High School and nearly 42 per cent who drop out after completing Senior High School. It was also evident that the master craftsmen/women generally have a weak theoretical basis for what they do besides the financial challenges they have. A two part training programme has been proposed: a theoretical and practical component. It is also recommended that a policy be developed to improve the system without the state necessarily capturing and controlling it

The Resilience of Mining Communities in Obuasi, as Anglogold Ashanti Shifts Position

A Flurry or an avalanche of publications examining the effects of mining on host communities have painted a rather incomplete picture of  the abilities of these communities to cope with  economic and population induced shocks and its ramifications  not to mention their capacity to  withstand the aftermath of the  exhaustion of all economically valuable resources. In this paper, therefore, the concept on resource-community reliance is investigated. Obuasi the host community of the oldest mining site in Ghana is the case study. The study conducted a broad meta-analysis of all the types of capitals available in Obuasi that are essential to achieving resilience at the community level.  The findings revealed Obuasi’s ability to cope with the on-going stress and recover thereof appears daunting as the resources capable of placing the community in a better condition are not locally owned. Additionally, institutional inefficiencies and convergent thinking have exacerbated the problem. The paper recommends among other things the need for AGA to depart from the current handout dependent nature of its corporate social responsibility to one that promotes wealth creation. Obuasi Municipal Assembly on the other hand would have to be innovative and re-direct its energies towards preparing the Municipality to take advantage of the huge physical capital currently at its disposal. Keywords: Obuasi, resilience, mining communities, development

Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) as a Model for Promoting Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the Ashaiman Municipality of Ghana

The purpose of the research was to assess the possibility of using the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) in Ghana as a model for the development of micro and small scale enterprises (MSEs). The study did this by assessing the contributions MASLOC has made to the development of MSEs. Data gathered from 96 beneficiary MSEs and three institutions revealed that loans from MASLOC have contributed to increasing the beneficiary MSEs’ working capital by 120.6%. The business advisory services offered by MASLOC to beneficiaries were identified to have improved the enterprises’ customer relations and attractions. All these have culminated into increases in earnings averaging 46.9%. The sustainability of MASLOC is however constrained by the high rate of default. The default rates for individual loans and group loans were 20% and 25% respectively. Overdue payments were estimated at 20% and 30% for individual loans and groups loans respectively. The study concludes that MASLOC should intensively monitor the MSEs in order to address the misapplications of the loans they take which will in turn reduce the rate of loan default. Keywords: Micro and Small Enterprises, Microfinance, MASLOC, employment, poverty reduction.

The Informal Apprenticeship System in Ghana: Post Graduation Job Integration and Its Implications for the Management of Urban Space

In spite of the enormous contributions the informal apprenticeship system has made to empowering many creative intelligent young Ghanaians, it has over the years come under a barrage of criticism and forceful evictions in many urban areas in Ghana. The justification by  urban administrators and planners for forcefully removing these graduate apprentices who set up their businesses  have been on grounds of encroachment of public spaces and illegal occupation of precarious locations. Informal graduate apprentices have defended their locational choice on ground of unfairness on the part of the state and the market to cater for their space needs. In the awake of a growing informal apprenticeship system in Ghana, this paper sought to establish the inherent relationship that exist between the growth in apprentices, their locational preferences, and their implications for urban planning and management. Using a case study approach the study built upon earlier exploratory research works done in the area. Information was gathered from 162 graduate apprentices-now entrepreneurs in four broad trades namely wood worker; auto mechanics; textile and apparel; and beauticians and hairdressers in Accra using questionnaires. The responses were validated through a focus group discussion. The findings revealed the number of graduate apprentices who set up their businesses is on the rise.  Although they preferred highly accessible areas that guaranteed high patronage of their services the absence of such spaces due to inefficiencies in the urban land market or a lack of a clear regulation that addresses their specific needs have caused them to settle in areas that are available to them.  It was also evident that the more concentrated the location of their activities are the higher the number of trips it generates across the urban space. Having gained insight into the phenomenon, proposals have been made as to how best the unmet space needs of the graduate apprentices can be met so as to mitigate the negative effects that results from unplanned, uncoordinated and unmet space needs. Keywords Informal, graduate apprentices, space needs, urban managemen

The Emergence of Gated Communities in Ghana and their Implications on Urban Planning and Management

Over the past few decades, gated communities have emerged as global commodity increasingly gaining patronage. In Sub-Sahara Africa, the city of Accra is fast recording the emergence of these communities. The research therefore examined the implications of the rising phenomenon in urban planning and management. By adopting a mixture of snow ball, simple random and purposive sampling and a face to face interview technique, the research accessed empirical data from planning institutions and households selected from three gated communities in the capital city of Accra. It was found that, gated communities in the capital have relatively good infrastructural facilities and services, the provision of which the real estate developers played a major role. However, a spatial policy gap on gated communities was identified in addition to missing legislative framework and low level of awareness on the part of planning institutions regarding the existence of some gated communities in the capital. In ensuring effective planning and management of gated communities in the urban arena as well as situating their occurrence within a broader spatial and socio-economic development of the country, the research concludes that, formulation of spatial policy and legislative framework and strengthening of planning institutions are requisite. Keywords: gated communities, urban planning, urban managemen

Dynamics of Maize Price in Ghana: Linear versus Nonlinear Cobweb Models

This paper intends to study the price dynamics of maize in Ghana using cobweb models derived from linear demand and nonlinear supply function and then compare with that from linear demand and supply functions which are constructed from real economic price and production data of maize. Comparative analysis of stability conditions of the equilibrium was discussed

Towards sustainable urban development: the social acceptability of high-rise buildings in a Ghanaian city

Over the years, many city managers, policy makers and academics alike have turned to high-rise buildings as pathway to sustainable urban development. However, the sustainability of such types of development in various geographical contexts, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, is a subject less explored. Amidst the promotion of high-rise development in a rapidly urbanizing metropolis in Ghana, Kumasi, the research empirically examined the social acceptability of high-rise residential facilities and the institutional capacity for their effective management. By conducting face-to-face interviews with sampled households, and critical public service providers in the metropolis, the study uncovered that, contrary to the evidence from many Asian cities, there is generally low social acceptability of high-rise developments, and a weak institutional capacity for effective service delivery. The research concludes that, whilst it is tempting to embrace high-rise buildings as sustainable development pathway, it is crucial they are pursued with much circumspection. In addition to their design being tailored to the local needs of the people for whom they are built, the promotion of high-rise development should recognize the importance of effective service delivery, and general social acceptability

TOWARDS ELIMINATION OF CORRUPTION IN THE LAND SECTOR: INCORPORATION OF GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES IN LAND GOVERNANCE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

In the wake of rapid urbanization and population growth, there is much contestation with the ownership and use of land globally, especially in Africa. It is widely acknowledged that the implementation of sustainable land governance is an antidote to tackling land-related conflicts (mostly as a result of multiple sales of land), engendered land access, among others. However, land governance in Ghana is challenged with inefficiencies and corruption being paramount amidst the implementation of other interventions. On this premise, this study sought to explore the viability of geospatial technologies in tackling corruption in land governance in Ghana, the present bottlenecks with the use of such technologies among land agencies, and the plausible solution going forward. The paper advances a course for the incorporation of technology in land management as an indispensable endeavor to eliminating the bottlenecks and contributing to the fight against corruption in the land sector. Employing a mixed-method approach, chiefly qualitative, 250 individuals, including personnel selected nationwide from the five LAP implementing agencies and patrons of their services as well as individuals in academic and research institutions were interviewed. It was evident from the findings that there is generally, a low understanding of geographic information systems and their use in land governance at the local level. About, 96 percent of the personnel interviewed alluded to the importance and the need to incorporate GIS into land governance to enhance efficiency in their field of work. The paper advocates for the use of geographic information systems (GIS): database management systems (DBMS) and decision support systems (DSS) for land administration, documentation, and management