Factors Influencing the Agricultural Technology Adoption: The Case of Improved Rice Varieties (Nerica) in the Northern Region, Ghana

This paper analyses factors that influence the adoption of (Nerica) rice technology in the Northern Region of Ghana. Both logit and probit models were used in the analysis. The results from the two models are consistent with each other; they have similar signs for each variable but slight difference in the magnitude of the coefficients.  Factors such as farm size, credit access, on-farm demonstration, tractor ownership, and family labor had positive influence on (Nerica) rice technology and statistically significant. The age, and profit orientation of the farmers had negative influence on the adoption on (Nerica) rice technology and statistically significant. Keywords: Nerica rice; probit; logit; technology adoption; Northern Ghana

Collapse of Big Banks in Ghana:Lessons on Its Corporate Governance

Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 71371087) Abstract The news that two indigenous banks, UT and Capital Bank have been taken over by GCB Bank has come as a shock to many Ghanaians, as just a year ago, Capital Bank was adjudged the Best Growing Bank, and Best Bank in Deposits & Savings at the15th Edition of Ghana Banking Awards while UT Bank was adjudged best bank in 2011 by the same institution. UT bank is one of Ghana’s most celebrated brands, after it evolved from a micro-finance company into a successful bank.The study reveals the weak compliance to common Corporate Governance practices within the two banks. Specifically, the two banks had small board size as compared to the standard size of the banking industry. Also, the boards did not have enough committees to discharge its operation. The independence of the boards was also impaired as in most of the directors are executives and the non-executive directors have a close relationship with the promoters and executives. Keywords: Corporate Governance, Collapse, Commercial Banks, Board of Directors DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-10-04 Publication date:May 31st 201

Impact of Board Characteristics on Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure in Ghana

This study examines the impact of board characteristics on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure in Ghana. It uses panel data covering 15 financial years which was extracted from the companies’ annual report to test the hypothesis using OLS regression. The results provide evidence that board characteristics such as size, board independence, board members below age 40, foreign nationals on board and gender diversity has a positive and significant impact on the CSR disclosure in Ghana. Board size recorded a negative and significant impact on CSR disclosure while women as board chairperson recorded no significant impact on CSR disclosure. In terms of structural break, the results indicate that, there is no structural break at 1% and 5%. However, at 10%, there is structural break. Based on these findings, the study recommends that, board size should be made up of minimum of 5 and maximum of 9. Again, there should be gender diversity, more independent directors, foreign nationals and younger board members below age 40 to ensure effectiveness and full disclosure of CSR in listed companies in Ghana