An Evaluation of Stakeholder Management Role in GETFund Polytechnics Projects Delivery in Ghana

Construction projects are undertaken to achieve specific goals and the success of it is measured by the realization of the set goals including stakeholder satisfaction. Several stakeholders are involved in construction projects and depending on the nature, complexity, procurement method adopted; stakeholders are involved at different stages of the project undertaking different roles and responsibilities. These stakeholders with varying stake influence and power, plays major roles in the success or failure of the project. Stakeholder Management is therefore essential if project goals are to be achieved. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is a key stakeholder established to provide and maintain educational infrastructure but has failed to achieve its objectives. Several projects have failed and stakeholders are dissatisfied. This study explores the role of Stakeholder Management in GETFund projects delivery. A mixed method approach of qualitative and quantitative surveys using semi-structured interviews and questionnaire was adopted. Research findings were analyzed using triangulation and descriptive analysis methods to evaluate the role of SM in project delivery. SM plays major role in project time, cost overruns, scope variation, non-completion, abandonment and poor payment schedules through poor SM process consideration and records keeping. Respondents agree that SM role should be considered during project planning, development and execution stages using SM framework. Keywords: Evaluation, GETFund, Project Delivery, Role, Stakeholder Managemen

The Impact of Step Parenting on the Health, Behavior and Development of School-aged Children

The American family structure has changed rapidly over the years, from the traditional two-biological-parent household to a variety of other family configurations, leading to a substantial number of children growing up in step-families. This paper examines the impact of step-parenting on child health outcomes among school-aged children

The Use of Mobile Construction Applications in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

There exist several construction applications (Apps) used on mobile phones or tablets within the construction industry, yet there is a gap between technology design and technology use in the Ghanaian construction industry. The aim of this study is to find out the use of construction apps in the Ghanaian construction industry. The objectives were to find out the awareness of the use of construction apps and to evaluate the construction apps used in the Ghanaian construction industry. An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the construction applications available in the construction industry and were group under 5 main headings; namely, estimation, calculators, CAD, construction site and project management Apps. Field survey of Sixty-Two registered building and civil contractors in Ashanti Region was conducted. Questionnaires were distributed to top management team of the firms with a response rate of 89%. Data obtained were analysed with descriptive statistics techniques. The results show that majority were not aware of the use of construction apps by 58% of the respondents yet most use android phones or tablets that support Apps. However, the topmost applications normally used were site photos, microsoft, spirit level, material estimator calculator, AutoCAD WS, Construction Master Pro, Universal Estimator, AndCAD, Carpenter’s Calculator, and painting estimator. It is however important that tertiary educational institutions pursuing construction related programmes should from time to time educate the young construction engineers about the modern and importance of the usage of these construction apps to enhance efficiency in their operations. Keywords: construction Apps, contractors, construction industry, mobile phones, Ghana

MANAGING CONSTRUCTION STAKEHOLDER S FOR EFFECTIVE PROJECT DELIVERY : A CASE OF CONSULTANT QUANTITY SURVEYORS

Meeting stakeholders’ needs and satisfaction is a primary project success factor in addition to cost, time and quality. Though studies have suggested stakeholders’ dissatisfaction with project success, however, there is lack of studies on quantitysurveyor s’ role and management in developing countries in achieving project success. This paper explored and evaluated quantity surveyor’s consultant’s management approach as part of a broader study aimed at ‘Developing sustainable stakeholder management framework for construction projects in Ghana’. Firstly, literature on construction stakeholder management from journals and published dissertations were reviewed. Whilst, GETFund tertiary education projects in Ghana were used as case study for the research . Data wa s analysed using the stakeholder circle, salience and matrix approaches suggested by scholars and used in similar researches to identify and evaluate key stakeholders role and management. The study confirmed the identification and role of Quantity Surveyor s as key stakeholders though not managed as such by project managers. P roject failures was also establish the an effect of stakeholder management absence and recommends the education, consideration of stakeholder management by project managers, keeping Qu antity Surveyors well informed, monitored and actively involved in the project planning

Stakeholders’ and sustainability considerations for mega infrastructure projects : a case of Accra airport city project, Ghana

Abstract: Studies have revealed that stakeholder management and sustainable principles consideration are essentials for mega construction project success. The aim of this paper was necessitated by the fact that though there is stakeholder dissatisfaction and lack of studies on the sustainability of the Aiport City Project (ACP) Accra, there is a proposal for second phase development. This paper evaluates stakeholders’ and sustainability measures considered for the ACP’s long term sustainability. A mixed method approach and purposive sampling was adopted. The 70% quantitative survey response rate was validated using six (6) semi-structured interviews and data analysed using a descriptive survey method. Key findings indicate that peer review of designs, project stakeholder meetings, project approval in principles and development monitoring were the measures instituted for stakeholder and sustainability considerations rather than the entire stakeholder management process. The research concludes that the ACP is only medium term sustainable due to low level stakeholder consideration, services infrastructure development, high vehicular traffic congestion, high rental values, socio-economic and cultural factors which are challenges for long term project sustainability

Audit of the appropriateness of the indication for obstetric sonography in a tertiary facility in Ghana

Introduction: the use of ultrasound is one of the most vital tools in the management of pregnancies and contributes significantly in improving maternal and child health. Certain indications in pregnancy, guide the obstetrician as to which obstetric scan deems appropriate. The full realization of the benefits of ultrasound depends on whether it is being used appropriately or not, and hence this study aimed at auditing for the appropriate indications for obstetric ultrasound. Methods: a review of all request forms for obstetric scan between June 2019 and July 2020 was performed to assess the appropriateness of requests for obstetric ultrasound at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL version 20.0). A Chi-squared test of independence was used to check for statistically significant differences between variables at p ≤ 0.05. Results: three hundred and fourteen (314) out of the 527 request forms had clinical indications stated. 174 (81.7%) of requests from Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and 39 (18.3%) from other health centers did not indicate patients clinical history/indication on the request forms. Majority 76 (68.5%) of scans in the first trimester were done without indications/history. Only 29 of requests with clinical history were inappropriate. Conclusion: practitioners should be mindful of adequately completing request forms for obstetric investigations since e a large number of practitioners do not state the history/indications for the scans. There should be continuous medical education on the importance of appropriate indication for obstetric ultrasound

Development of a sustainable stakeholder management framework for construction projects in Ghana

D.Phil. (Engineering Management)Abstract: The construction industry’s role in the infrastructure development and other sectors of the economy in developing countries is well acknowledged for its importance. Moreover, the need for an accelerated growth has led to the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and currently the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) for public-sector projects. Nevertheless, the diverse stakeholders involved in project development coupled with the high rate of public-sector project failure has made it receive negative public attention. Efforts by project managers to use the project management hard skills to improve project delivery have failed. However, the use of innovative stakeholder management (SM) soft skill approach has been embraced in developed countries to enhance stakeholder management success and project delivery. The identified challenge is the factors that need to be considered by project managers and a formal model to be used in Ghana as a developing country. The main aim of this study was to develop a sustainable stakeholder management framework for project SM success and enhanced project delivery. A Mixed-Method research approach was employed using a literature review and qualitative Delphi survey to explore key constructs and measurement variables. Twelve out of the Twenty experts purposively sampled from the industry using eight-factor criteria initially agreed to participate in the study. However, ten experts participated in the three-rounds Delphi survey that identified eighty-one measured variables. The variables were categorised into critical success factors CSF (59) barrier factors CBF (8) and SM output (14). Also, identified were six exogenous critical success factors and one endogenous SM success construct. The study identified SSM as a six-factor model defined by the exogenous factors of pre-stakeholder identification; stakeholder identification; stakeholder assessment; stakeholder engagement; conflict resolution; implementation, monitoring and feedback. Also identified is the direct effect of external environment (CBF) on SSM success. A quantitative questionnaire survey involving 350 purposively sampled industry participants was conducted. The 289-valid returned questionnaire constituted 82.5% response rate. Using an SPSS 16.0 for data entry, a Pre-CFA PC Varimax test was used to examine the validity and reliability of the measured variables and latent constructs. All the exogenous constructs (CSF and CBF) met the data internal consistency pre-set thresholds. Furthermore, a CFA test was conducted using a robust analytical structural equation modeling SEM IBM SPSS AMOS 22 for model fit..