Ascertaining the Influence of Politics on the Outcomes of the Implementation of the NHIS: Study of the Ga West District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme

The study was conducted to ascertain the influence of politics on the outcomes of the implementation of the NHIS: study of the Ga West District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (DMHIS). The study used the quantitative research methods which involved the distribution of questionnaires and through the random sampling technique, to reach the respondents. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 respondents dwelling in the Ga West District of Accra, Ghana after which a simple statistical tool, specifically the linear regression was used to analyze the data collected. The study revealed that over-ambitiousness of the NHIS policy, political message, staff selection not based on merit, policy uncertainty are the main political tenets that hinder the implementation of the Ga West District Mutual Health Scheme. Keywords: Public policy, policy implementation, national health insurance scheme, Ghana DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/9-2-0

Level of Awareness of Effects of the Use of Cosmetic Bleaching Products among Women: A Case Study of Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana

This study intends to find out the level of awareness of the harmful effects of cosmetic bleaching products among women in Bolgatanga municipality of Ghana. The study also investigated the motives for skin bleaching as well as observing any physical manifestation of bleaching effects on the skin. Structured questionnaire was the main instrument used for the data collection. The questionnaires were administered in ten (10) selected communities in the Bolgatanga Municipality from which one hundred and twenty (120) women were randomly selected. The results showed that 39.2% of the women interviewed used cosmetics bleaching products, 9 women representing 7.5% experienced related side-effects and 82.4% had no knowledge on the side effects of these bleaching products. Chi-square analysis showed that lack of formal education could account for their ignorance. High amount of sunshine in addition to skin bleaching could serve as a predisposing factor which would lead to the contraction of skin cancer. The knowledge of the effects of cosmetic bleaching products is an imperative measure in maintaining a healthy skin. Keywords: women, cosmetics, bleaching products, skin

Assessment of metal levels of some refuse dump soils in Ghana

Abstract Concentration levels of tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), titanium (Ti), bismuth (Bi) and thallium (Tl) were assessed in refuse dump and background soils in urban (Accra and Kumasi) and rural (Sataso) communities in Ghana using a ThermoFinnigan Element 2 high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (HR-ICP-MS) instrument. Concentrations of the metals were lower than known normal mineral soil levels, however, based on the Igeo scale the refuse dump soils from Accra and Kumasi (urban communities) were 'Moderate to strongly polluted' with Sn and Sb while that from Sataso a rural community was classified as 'Moderately polluted' with Sn and Sb. The refuse dump soils from the urban communities were 'Unpolluted to moderately polluted' with Ti and that from the rural community was classified as 'Practically unpolluted' with Ti. All the refuse dump soils were, 'Practically unpolluted' with Bi and Tl. Differences in the pollution levels may probably be assigned to differences in population and activities in the communities

Analysis of meningitis outbreak data, Jaman North District, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

Background: Descriptive analysis of meningitis outbreak in Jaman North districts of Brong Ahafo Region.Design: Descriptive secondary data analysisData Source: records of meningitis cases were extracted from case-based forms and line list.Main outcome measure: The source and pattern of outbreakResults: A total of 367 suspected cases with 44 confirmed were recorded from Jaman North during the period of January to March 2016. The mean age of those affected was 58 ± 13years. The case fatality rate was 0.82% and the proportion of males to females was 1:1.3 (160/207). The age group most affected was 15-29 years (54.7%) and the least was 45-49 years (3.0%). Streptococcus pneumoniae formed 77.3% of confirmed cases whilst Neisseria meningitides was 20.5%. Cases with Neisseria meningitides came from a border town in La Côte d’Ivoire.Conclusion: A protracted propagated meningitis outbreak occurred; and the predominant bacteria strain among confirmed cases was Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cases were mainly females and the most vulnerable group were people aged 15-29 years.Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitides, meningitis outbreak, Jaman North District, GhanaFunding: This work was funded by the authors. Author BKD was sponsored under CDC (Frontline FETP)-CDC CoAg 6NU2GGH001876

Board efficiency, Professional management, Ethics, and Financial Performance of firms in sub-Sahara Africa: Does Size Matter?

The study examines the impact of board efficiency, professional management, and ethics on the financial performance of firms in SSA after considering the sizes of these firms. Firm and country-level data for non-finance firms in SSA are obtained from the Bloomberg Terminal from 2007 to 2017. The OLS, Fixed, Random Models, and the difference GMM techniques are used for the analysis. The study results reveal that board efficiency is negatively related to the profits of firms in SSA which is proxied by the ROAs of the firms, but it positively impacts Sales. Professional management also has a positive relationship with profits and negatively relates to Sales, while Ethics also has a negative relationship with Sales, The study further finds that, by considering the sizes of the firms, board efficiency positively affects sales levels of firms in SSA, professional management has a positive impact on the firms' profits while ethics also affect profits of the firms positively. Therefore, this study provides significant implications for firms and gives firms’ management a framework for adoption in managing their business activities

Drivers of mergers and acquisitions and firm value growth in emerging markets.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study investigates drivers of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and firm value growth in emerging markets. It was targeted at acquirer firms from emerging markets since there is a continuous surge in acquisition transactions both locally and internationally by firms from the emerging markets. These acquirer firms have been using domestic and cross-border M&As as growth strategies to establish their presence and dominance in local and foreign markets. The study was executed with three distinct objectives. First, whether working capital positions of emerging market acquirer firms drive their M&A transactions and influence their decisions regarding the type of mergers they pursue using probit regression analysis. The free cash flow hypothesis was also tested to determine whether free cash flow available to these acquirer firms motivate them to undertake M&A deals. Second, whether managerial share ownership in firms drive M&A transactions by acquirers from the emerging markets and influences the sizes of target firms they acquire during acquisitions, again using a probit regression technique. The study under this objective further investigated the relationship between managerial discretion and the acquirers’ profitability levels. As a third objective, the study explored whether M&As transactions undertaken by emerging market acquirers are value-adding or value-destroying to shareholders of these firms by applying the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) methodology. The study covered a period of 10 years from 2004 to 2013 for 160 acquirer firms from ten (10) selected emerging market countries. Data were gleaned from the Bloomberg Terminal and DataStream. Results of this study suggest that, working capital positions of acquirer firms from the emerging markets are less likely to motivate them to undertake acquisition deals. However, the study reveals the marginal effect coefficient for the firms’ total assets to be positive and statistically significant at 1%, suggesting that, their total assets rather are more likely to influence them to execute acquisition transactions, all other things being equal. There is no evidence of the firms’ level of financial leverage, returns on assets (ROAs) and Tobin’s Q having the potential to influence these acquirers to pursue M&As. The study further concludes that, the firms’ free cash flows (FCFs) motivate them to execute M&As compared to their working capital positions. Regarding whether the acquirer firms’ working capital positions influence the type of M&As they pursue, the results indicate that, it is less likely to encourage them to undertake either a horizontal or vertical type of merger. Further, our results revealed that, managerial share ownership of emerging market acquirers is also less likely to drive them into acquisition transactions and influence them to pursue smaller-sized targets during M&As deals. Results from the study further suggest that, managerial discretion has a negative relationship on profitability levels of acquirer firms from the emerging market as far as their acquisition pursuits are concerned. Finally, results of the study show that, emerging market acquirers do not experience value growth in terms of profitability and growth opportunities in the first three years after M&As deals. A number of policy prescriptions arising from this thesis are presented to guide managers, practitioners and shareholders of firms in the emerging markets to shape their thoughts on M&As executions. Highlights of these policy prescriptions this study proffers include the following; managers should not ignore the efficient management of working capital. They should institute proper working capital management practices in their companies, in order not to experience liquidity challenges of either excess or shortages as any of them could impact adversely on the efficient running of their business activities particularly in the short-term period. An acquisition or a merger should be seen as a two-edged sword. When finally, firms take a decision to pursue M&As as an investment strategy option, they must fully take into account the issue of resources availability too. The target firm should be evaluated before an acquisition or a merger is performed. After an acquisition or merger, firms should restructure and integrate their resources. Also, for managers to have absolute control over firms and be able to influence investments decisions such as M&As especially in the emerging markets, their ownership percentage should be above the suggested significant level of 20%. Policy makers should also take a second look at their firms’ financial leverage positions and growth in total assets if they desire to improve on their profits levels because results of this study indicate that they have a significant impact on the firm’s ability to engage in M&As. Further, when firms from the emerging markets are planning or considering M&As for immediate value growth, they should recognise that M&A may not provide immediate growth in the first three years after M&A. Rather, the effects of M&A on firms’ value growth may be expected in the long-term period of five years and beyond. However, apart from using M&As for growth purposes, they may be used to create other types of value, such as market power enhancement, risk minimisation through market or product diversification or cost efficiency. Furthermore, since uncertainties exist in M&As, advance preparation is needed before an acquisition or a merger is executed, including a development of planning strategies and improvement of firm governance structure. It is, therefore, important for institutions and government to cooperate to come up with stronger systems to monitor corporate governance practices to bring some sanity to the business community. Lastly, diversifying internationally appears to be an important strategy for reducing risk after a successful merger. It is more likely for investors, all other things being equal, to reduce the levels of risks associated with their investment portfolio if they invest in internationally diversified merged firm

Human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in soil and air particulate matter of automobile hub environments in Kumasi, Ghana

Rapid urbanization and uncontrolled industrial activities in developing countries have raised concerns about potentially toxic metal contamination of the environment. This study assessed the levels of potentially toxic elements in soil and airborne particulate matter in the Suame and Asafo areas in the Kumasi metropolis, characterized by a high concentration of auto mechanic workshops and residential settlements. X-ray fluorescence analysis and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry were used to determine the metal concentrations in the samples. The results showed high concentrations of potentially toxic elements in the soil and air samples, indicating contamination from automotive activities. Metals such as Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn were found to be present at concentrations (13.42–6101.58 mg/kg and 14.15–11.74 mg/kg for Suame and Asafo respectively) that pose potential health risks to exposed populations. Mathematical models such as pollution indices were used to assess the extent of contamination and determine the potential sources of the metals - the automotive repairs. The findings highlight the urgent need for environmental management and remediation strategies to mitigate the health risks of exposure to potentially toxic elements in the Kumasi metropolis automotive hub

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Serum Samples of Selected Populations from Ghana

The aims of this study were to assess serum concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in selected populations from Ghana, including workers engaged in the repair of electronic equipment (ERWs), and to elucidate PFAS concentrations in relation to blood mercury concentrations (B-Hg) as a biomarker of seafood consumption. In all, 219 participants were recruited into the study, of which 26 were women and 64 were ERWs. Overall, the PFAS concentrations were low. The most abundant components were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Women had generally lower PFAS concentration than men. The ERWs had statistically significantly higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), which was associated with the concentration of tin in urine. This could indicate exposure during soldering. The concentration of B-Hg was associated with several of the PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS and perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS). Additionally, the concentrations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) were highly associated with the concentrations of B-Hg. It is noteworthy that the linear isomer of PFHxS was strongly associated with B-Hg while the branched isomers of PFHxS were not. In conclusion, the PFAS concentrations observed in the present study are low compared to other populations previously investigated, which also reflects a lower PFAS exposure within the Ghanaian cohorts. ERWs had significantly higher PFOA concentrations than the other participants. Several PFASs were associated with B-Hg, indicating that seafood consumption may be a source of PFAS exposur