Financial Literacy and Investment Decisions Among Traders in the Techiman Municipality

The goal of this study was to explore financial literacy and investment decisions among traders in the Techiman Municipality. A sample size of 150 respondents selected for the study. Convenience sampling technique was employed for the study. Questionnaire was employed for the study. Based on the findings it was established that traders lack knowledge in investment. Most of the respondents did not understand the concept of liquidity which describes the extent to which an asset can be promptly bought or sold in the market without affecting the asset's price. Additionally, the study indicated a strong positive relationship between financial literacy and investment decisions. It was realized that that 38.5% of the variations in the investment decisions are accounted for by the changes in the financial knowledge of the trader. The study recommended that more financial literacy programmes should be organized by the financial institution to create awareness. The government should also include financial literacy in the educational curriculum of the basic or elementary schools and higher learning institutions. Keywords: Financial literacy, investment decisions, traders DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-6-07 Publication date:March 31st 201

The Impact of High Lending Rates on Borrowers’ Ability to pay Back Loans in the Tamale Metropolis

The main purpose of the research was to find out the impact of high lending rates on borrower’s ability to pay back loans in the Tamale Metropolis. Cross- sectional survey method was adopted. Structured questionnaires were distributed to respondents within Tamale Metropolis to solicit their views concerning lending rates. 200 questionnaires were distributed but 101 respondents were drawn for data collection. Non-probability sampling method basically random sampling and convenience sampling were used.At the end of the study, it was found out that the lending rate that is deemed acceptable by both borrowers and lenders was 25%. On the other hand, the respondents (borrowers) were also of the view that the current lending rate was rather too high. It was also found out that high lending rates affected borrowers’ ability to pay back because they cannot make enough returns from their businesses to service their loans. Based on this notion, the borrowers further said that high lending rates affected their businesses negatively in the sense that they are not able to make enough profits to grow their businesses which is the primary reason why they opted for the loan facility. It can be concluded that lending rates impact on the operations of businesses whether high or low.  Central Bank as well as all financial institutions that have the ability to lend money should adopt Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL) into their business operation so that borrowers can invest to yield enough profit to service their loans and also make some profit for growth. Keywords: Lending Rates, Loan Facility, Financial Institutions and Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan (IRRRL

An Assessment of Bad Loans and Its Impact on the Profitability of Banks in Ghana: A Case Study of Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADB LTD.)

This study was conducted to assess bad loans and its impact on the profitability of banks in Ghana using Agricultural Development Bank Limited as a case study. The study is a descriptive survey which made use of semi-structured questionnaire to collect primary data from respondents. Additionally, a retrospective approach was taken to collect secondary data from the published financial reports of the bank (ADB Ltd) for a period of 5 years (2010-2014). Data collected for the study were analysed quantitatively using Microsoft software ‘‘Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. From the data analysed the study found an undulating trend of bad loans at an average of 6% bad loan ratio to total loan disbursed over the 5-year period understudy. Additionally, the study found customer’s business failure, high loan interest rate, inadequate loan monitoring and wrong timing of loan disbursement as the main factors accounting for bad loans at the bank. The study further observed that bad loans substantially impact negatively on the bank's interest income draining an average of one-fifth of the bank's interest income over the study period (2010-2015). Nearly the same amount of net profit earned by the bank is lost to bad loans. The study then concluded that the incidence of bad loans at the bank was great and requires effective credit management policies and procedures by the board and management of the bank. The study, therefore, recommended that board and management reduce loan interest rate, adequately resource credit officers for effective loan monitoring and ensure timely processing and disbursement of loans. It is also recommended for a future study to assess the credit management practices of the bank.    Keywords: Loans, Bad Loans, and Bank Profitability

Loan Default Rate and its Impact on Profitability in Financial Institutions

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to identifying the loan default rate and its impact on profitability, and determining ways of reducing loan defaults in microfinance institutions. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted both qualitative (case study) and quantitative methods respectively. Financial institutions were selected to gather data, which was acquired from answers obtained from our administered questionnaire and also through interviews. The population of the survey constituted the management and non-management staff and customers of First Allied savings and loans limited, Eden Microfinance and Opportunity International savings and loans Limited. Findings: Hypotheses of the study will be analyzed using correlation and regression. Results of the study show that there are high positive correlation between the constructs of loan default rate and profitability of the various microfinance institutions. Keywords: Loan default rate, profitability, microfinance institution

An Empirical Analysis of the Loan Default Rate of Microfinance Institutions

Microfinance institutions have been extending loans to different deficit units in Ghana and this study aimed at addressing the following issues: identifying the causes of loan default and the processes involved in granting loan by Microfinance institutions in Ghana. The convenient and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select respondents to provide answers to questionnaires. The population of the survey constituted the management and non-management staff and customers of some selected microfinance institutions in Ghana. Hypotheses of the study will be analyzed using correlation and regression. Results of the study show that there are high positive correlation between the constructs of loan default causes and how loans are granted. Keywords: Loan Default Rate, Monitoring and Repayment, Microfinance institutions

Assessing the Effects of Organizational Culture on Performance

The subject of organizational culture became of much interest to researchers in the 1980’s and to date it still carries weight in business cycles, as a results more and more research is carried into this field of study. This work is focused on assessing and defining the effects of organizational culture on the performance of an organization. The purpose is to examine the various concepts/models of organizational culture and tries to find out the relationship between organizational culture and performance in a business setup. Earlier research reviews have shown that there is direct impact or effect on the variety of organization’s processes, employees and its performances. Research further indicates that if employees are committed and they have the same norms and values as that of the organization they work in, there is a high chance that there can be an increase in performance towards achieving the overall organizational goals. More research can be done in this area to comprehend the nature and ability of culture in proving that the performance of an organization can be based on the culture that is upheld in it. The study adopted survey research design and primary data was used for this study. Data was collected through questionnaires that were given out to the selected respondents to answer. Hypotheses were tested and relevant recommendations were made. The conclusion arrived is that organizational culture plays a critical role in an organizations general performance. The study is an input to organizational culture’s literature by showing that if employees would commit themselves to organizational goals and work actively in achieving those goals when they buy into the cultural norms of the organization, this increases organizational performance. Managers and leaders are recommended to develop a strong culture in the organization to improve the overall performance of the employees in the organization. Keywords: Organizational Culture, Organizational Performance, Employee’s Commitments, Organizational Goals.

Perceived Effects of Smartphone Usage on Students’ Attitude Towards Learning in a Health Institution

The research is partly funded by College of Health, Yamfo, Ghana. Abstract Globally, the current advancement in technological gadgets has provided smartphones as a new tool for both teachers and students to support classroom and off classroom learning. This has led to the call for its integration into the educational system of health training schools in Ghana. The researchers studied health trainees’ perception on the effects smartphone usage has on their attitudes towards learning. This study was grounded on the views of constructivist theory of learning. A descriptive cross sectional study design was adopted. Among 614 health trainees studying various medical and allied health courses at the College of Health-Yamfo of Ghana, 138 students were selected using both stratified and systematic sampling methods. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. The outcome of the study indicated that health trainees who use smartphones in their learning activities develop positive attitude towards learning (76%). However, it was revealed that health trainees who do not use smartphones in their learning activities had negative attitude towards learning (57%). They were also not confident; did not complete assignments; depended on others during studies and did not have access to large volume of information via the internet. Finally, chatting through WhatsApp and other social media applications during lectures and small screen size were barriers to effective use of smartphone in learning activities. The study recommends development of policy that would encompass the integration of smartphone usage into teaching curriculum of health training schools in Ghana. Keywords: smartphones, student learning, social media, health training schools DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-2-0

Prediction of uncomplicated pregnancies in obese women: A prospective multicentre study

BACKGROUND: All obese pregnant women are considered at equal high risk with respect to complications in pregnancy and birth, and are commonly managed through resource-intensive care pathways. However, the identification of maternal characteristics associated with normal pregnancy outcomes could assist in the management of these pregnancies. The present study aims to identify the factors associated with uncomplicated pregnancy and birth in obese women, and to assess their predictive performance. METHODS: Data form obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) with singleton pregnancies included in the UPBEAT trial were used in this analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical factors at 15 +0 to 18 +6 weeks' gestation associated with uncomplicated pregnancy and birth, defined as delivery of a term live-born infant without antenatal or labour complications. Predictive performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Internal validation and calibration were also performed. Women were divided into fifths of risk and pregnancy outcomes were compared between groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated using the upper fifth as the positive screening group. RESULTS: Amongst 1409 participants (BMI 36.4, SD 4.8 kg/m 2 ), the prevalence of uncomplicated pregnancy and birth was 36% (505/1409). Multiparity and increased plasma adiponectin, maternal age, systolic blood pressure and HbA1c were independently associated with uncomplicated pregnancy and birth. These factors achieved an AUROC of 0.72 (0.68-0.76) and the model was well calibrated. Prevalence of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and postpartum haemorrhage decreased whereas spontaneous vaginal delivery increased across the fifths of increasing predicted risk of uncomplicated pregnancy and birth. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 38%, 89%, 63% and 74%, respectively. A simpler model including clinical factors only (no biomarkers) achieved an AUROC of 0.68 (0.65-0.71), with sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 31%, 86%, 56% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Clinical factors and biomarkers can be used to help stratify pregnancy and delivery risk amongst obese pregnant women. Further studies are needed to explore alternative pathways of care for obese women demonstrating different risk profiles for uncomplicated pregnancy and birth

Lifestyle intervention in obese pregnancy and cardiac remodelling in 3-year olds: children of the UPBEAT RCT

Background/Objectives: Obesity in pregnancy has been associated with increased childhood cardiometabolic risk and reduced life expectancy. The UK UPBEAT multicentre randomised control trial was a lifestyle intervention of diet and physical activity in pregnant women with obesity. We hypothesised that the 3-year-old children of women with obesity would have heightened cardiovascular risk compared to children of normal BMI women, and that the UPBEAT intervention would mitigate this risk. Subjects/Methods: Children were recruited from one UPBEAT trial centre. Cardiovascular measures included blood pressure, echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function and dimensions, carotid intima-media thickness and heart rate variability (HRV) by electrocardiogram. Results: Compared to offspring of normal BMI women (n = 51), children of women with obesity from the trial standard care arm (n = 39) had evidence of cardiac remodelling including increased interventricular septum (IVS; mean difference 0.04 cm; 95% CI: 0.018 to 0.067), posterior wall (PW; 0.03 cm; 0.006 to 0.062) and relative wall thicknesses (RWT; 0.03 cm; 0.01 to 0.05) following adjustment. Randomisation of women with obesity to the intervention arm (n = 31) prevented this cardiac remodelling (intervention effect; mean difference IVS −0.03 cm (−0.05 to −0.008); PW −0.03 cm (−0.05 to −0.01); RWT −0.02 cm (−0.04 to −0.005)). Children of women with obesity (standard care arm) compared to women of normal BMI also had elevated minimum heart rate (7 bpm; 1.41 to 13.34) evidence of early diastolic dysfunction (e prime) and increased sympathetic nerve activity index by HRV analysis. Conclusions: Maternal obesity was associated with left ventricular concentric remodelling in 3-year-old offspring. Absence of remodelling following the maternal intervention infers in utero origins of cardiac remodelling. Clinical trial registry name and registration number: The UPBEAT trial is registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN89971375

Does metformin reduce excess birthweight in offspring of obese pregnant women? A randomised controlled trial of efficacy, exploration of mechanisms and evaluation of other pregnancy complications

BackgroundMaternal obesity is associated with high birthweight, obesity and premature mortality in adult offspring, probably as a result of maternal hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. We present the results of a trial designed to test the hypothesis that metformin will improve insulin sensitivity in obese pregnant women, thereby reducing the incidence of high-birthweight babies.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of metformin (up to 2500 mg daily) given to obese pregnant women in reducing the gestational age-, parity- and sex-adjusted birthweight centile of the baby.DesignDouble-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised controlled trial with embedded substudies.SettingFifteen NHS hospitals in the UK.ParticipantsPregnant women aged ≥ 16 years with a singleton fetus and a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2.InterventionMetformin tablets (or placebo) administered between 12 and 16 weeks’ gestation until delivery of the baby.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was z-score corresponding to the gestational age-, parity- and sex-adjusted birthweight centile of live-born babies delivered at ≥ 24 weeks’ gestation. The main secondary outcome was maternal insulin resistance at 36 weeks’ gestation. Embedded substudies were included to assess the effect of metformin on insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp; endothelial function; maternal and fetal fat distribution using magnetic resonance imaging; placental expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2 and glucocorticoid receptor; and myometrial contractility and glycogen storage.ResultsWe randomised 449 women to either placebo (n = 223) or metformin (n = 226), of whom 434 were included in the final intention-to-treat analysis. Mean birthweight at delivery was 3463 g [standard deviation (SD) 660 g] in the placebo group and 3462 g (SD 548 g) in the metformin group. The estimated effect size of metformin on the primary outcome was non-significant [adjusted mean difference in z-score –0.029, 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.217 to 0.158; p = 0.7597]. There was no evidence of a reduction in the main secondary outcome of homeostatic model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at 36 weeks’ gestation (mean HOMA-IR 5.98 and 6.30 molar units in the placebo and metformin groups, respectively; adjusted mean ratio 0.974, 95% CI 0.865 to 1.097). Metformin had no effect on the combined adverse outcome of miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, stillbirth or neonatal death. Subjects taking metformin demonstrated increased insulin sensitivity [glucose disposal per unit plasma insulin difference between means during high-dose insulin 0.02 mg/kg, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.03 mg/kg (fat-free mass)/minute/µIU/l; p = 0.04] compared with those taking placebo and enhanced endogenous glucose production [difference between means 0.54 mg/kg, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.00 mg/kg (fat-free mass)/minute; p = 0.02]. There were no differences in endothelial function, maternal or fetal body fat distribution, placental expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2 and glucocorticoid receptor, or myometrial contractility and glycogen storage.ConclusionsMetformin has no clinically significant effect on birthweight centile in obese pregnant women. Follow-up studies of the children born to participants in the trial are required to determine whether or not there are any longer-term benefits or harms of maternal metformin for offspring weight, fat mass or metabolism.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN51279843.FundingThis project was funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership