Revisiting the factors influencing corporate dividend policy decisions: Evidence from listed banks in Ghana / Ibrahim Nandom Yakubu.

Dividend policy determinants have been explored for decades, yet a consensus on the factors that determine dividend policies among firms has not been so far established as findings differ depending on the industry and sector. This paper aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the factors influencing dividend policy of listed banks in Ghana relying on bank-level data spanning 2006 – 2015. Using the pooled ordinary least squares, fixed and random effects as estimation techniques, the findings show that dividend policy of banks is significantly driven by bank growth, profitability, bank size, and leverage. Capital adequacy ratio and domestic macroeconomic instability proxied by inflation were found to be insignificant. The findings lend strong support for the agency cost theory and the pecking order hypothesis of dividend policy

The opinion of ELT students on technology-based classroom approach

Technology integration into the classroom has been researched for more than two decades; but, studies in both qualitative and quantitative revealed varied effects on the usage of technology in the classes. However, the role of schools tends to prepare students for challenges of life after graduation and how to stay current; the ways of using the technology in classrooms are still in the hands of students. Therefore the opinions of students’ can probably affect the use of technology in a class. This study analyzed classroom technology evolution in university settings. ELT students opinions about technology-based classroom were measured via controlled Likert scale surveys. The data of this study was collected through the means of a survey. The survey was administered to three hundred and three ELT students at a public University in Turkey. Outcome of this study established that students’ opinion and attitudes towards technology-based classroom are assenting. However, ELT students did not use this approach more often. Furthermore, the use of classroom is not frequent due to these challenges, inadequate technology-based classrooms, insufficient information about the use of the various types of gadgets and programs; lack of courses for the effective training of teachers and students on how to use this approach. Lastly, this study provided methodological suggestions on how to use technology-based classroom with modern technological tools and materials, providing adequate training for students on how to use the technology-based classroom to help increase its implementation ELT settings in universities

HOUSEHOLDERS’ SATISFACTION TOWARDS SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES OF ZOOMLION GHANA LTD IN WA, GHANA

Solid waste management remains a major challenge to most governments in developing countries in view of the increasing volumes of waste materials generated and disposed to the environment in urban areas. As a result, many governments have embraced public-private partnerships to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of waste management services. This study used a cross-sectional household survey to investigate householders’ satisfaction with solid waste collection services provided by Zoomlion Ghana Ltd in the Wa Municipality. A total of 193 householders were selected through simple random sampling from registered household clients of Zoomlion Ghana Ltd in the Wa Municipality. The results of the study revealed that householders were ‘moderately satisfied’ with most waste management services delivered by the Company indicating an acceptable level of service delivery. The one-way ANOVA results showed significant differences in householders’ satisfaction by income level and house type for service delivery dimensions on frequency of waste collection; handling of waste during transport and disposal; and household education on waste management. The study posits that although the services delivered by the company can be considered as acceptable, much improvement could be made by simply addressing issues on household education, prompt response to user complains and ensuring effective monitoring and sanctioning by the Municipal Assembly. This will enable Zoomlion Ghana Ltd deliver quality services to its clients

Fuelwood Utilization and Marketing in Kogi State

This study focused on fuelwood utilization and marketing in Kogi State. A survey of rural and urban households was carried out in Kogi State. The aim was to generate the necessary data that would form the bases for putting in place an energy policy most appropriate for the state. Data were generated through the use of questionnaires and interview schedules. Findings show that the fuelwood still represent the predominant domestic energy in use in the state as indicated by 56.7% of the respondent followed closely by kerosene as indicated by 40.8% of the correspondent. Major reason adduced for its common usage include its ready availability, (41.7%), ease of use (23.3%) and relatively cheapness (20.0%) of respondent respectively in comparison to other energy sources. The result however showed that even though majority of the respondent (54.2%) still obtain their fuelwood needs free, a significant number (39.0%) now have to purchase their fuelwood needs, an indication of their increasing scarcity in Kogi State. Its increasing scarcity is further manifested by the finding that the majority of those involved in its collection (house helps, mothers and their children as reveal in the study) now have to travel long distances (an average of 2km) to obtain supplies and these activities are mostly performed twice weekly. It is recommended that government should put in place an appropriate energy policy that would ensure continued availability of fuelwood in the state. Keywords: Fuelwood, Utilization, Marketing And Sustainable Developmen

Exploring the Qualitative Factors Influencing the Perception of Employees on Performance Management Practices of Public Organizations in Ghana- The Case of Bolgatanga Polytechnic

The perception of employees on human resource practices of organizations affect their performance. When employees perceive human resources practices as being effective, their performance would be affected positively. This study therefore, explored the qualitative factors influencing the perception of employees’ on performance management practices of public institutions in Ghana. We explored the perception of some selected employees of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic on performance management practices of the Polytechnic. We found out that employees had a negative perception about performance management practices of the Polytechnic. This negative perception was grounded on the perceived non-involvement of employees in the performance management processes of the Polytechnic. The participants perceived that they were not given the needed attention and support to enable them achieve the goals of the performance management system of the Polytechnic.We concluded that performance management systems of Public institutions in Ghana are ineffective and fast becoming annual form filling exercises and not a means of managing performance of employees of those institutions.We recommended that it was time the central Government and other relevant bodies gave the needed attention to performance management of employees of public sector institutions in Ghana. Keywords: Perception, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, performance management, accuracy and fairness. DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/59-07 Publication date:September 30th 201

Analysis of Sensor Imaging and Field-Validation for Monitoring, Evaluation and Control Future Flood Prone Areas along River Niger and Benue Confluence Ecology, Lokoja, Nigeria

The study area often suffered from flood for the last two year resulting to ecological damages including farmlands, infrastructures, property damage, loss of life and degradation of land-cover. Flood prone areas assessment is conducted using sensor data from space-borne optical sensors with cross-validation by ground-truthing the study area along the two major rivers that converge at Lokoja, otherwise called river-confluence. Maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and ISO-clustering unsupervised classification method of Arcmap-10.1 using NigeriaSat-1 data is applied to the regimes of up-stream and down-stream of River Niger and River Benue respectively. Based on ground truthing of the study areas, classification of inundated areas closely connected with actual flood prone area was developed. The results of the classifications of flood prone areas were displayed on satellite imagery, of which the percentage differences of change detected from variations of 16 class of land-use (LU) and land-cover (LC) using optical sensor shows that wetland flood plain comprising of runoffs-routes and lowland areas recorded the highest of 14.42% using MLC and 16.02% using ISO-DATA. In the final analysis, the classification accuracy conducted shows that the ecology of flood prone areas can be adequately classified using MLC (54.89%) and ISO-clustering unsupervised classification (45.11%). In the same vein, the result of regression function shows high correlation coefficient of 0.6242 (62%) and high strength in their relationship of which the potential flood runoff-route did correlate with the state of the location of the study area. It is anticipated that remote-sensing data integrated from optical sensors could be used to supplement up-stream, down-stream and runoffs-route to monitor, evaluate and detect floods prone areas. It is therefore significant that government and relevant agencies adopts these findings to help in the monitoring, evaluating and control of future ecological disasters. Keywords:Analysis, lokoja,river niger, river benue, confluence, monitor, evaluate, control, ecology, flood, spatial, tempora

Emergency Online Teaching and Learning in a Nigerian Private University: An Activity Theory Perspective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges of emergency online teaching and learning adopted in a Nigerian private university due to the suspension of face-to- face learning, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Activity theory was used to examine the elements that make up the activity, that is, the virtual learning environment, as well as their associated relationships in order to reveal existing and potential tensions within the activity. Data used for the analysis of this case study was obtained by observation of the online class sessions, student responses to an online survey, emails (requesting support) received by the instructional technology support team, and interviews with participants of the activity system. The findings show that majority of the challenges and contradictions observed were a result of a hurried decision to migrate to online learning in order to complete the academic semester. This brought about several issues with regards to the tools, rules, and roles within the activity system. The most significant contradiction observed was as a result of the influence of an external activity on the studied activity system. The study provides insights to policymakers in the education sector on the current barriers to online learning, especially in the Nigerian context

MHD Thermal Stagnation Point Flow towards a Stretching Porous Surface

This paper presents an investigation of the hydromagnetic stagnation flow of an incompressible viscous, electrically conducting fluid, towards a stretching sheet in the presence of axially in- creasing free stream velocity. The Newton-Raphson shooting method along with the fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration algorithm has been employed to tackle the third order, nonlinear boundary layer equation governing the problem. The results indicate that suction and thermal Grashof number have the same effect on the rate of heat transfer. The magnetic parameter has the effect of increasing the skin friction coefficient whilst the reverse is observed for increasing the velocity ratio parameter. Keywords: Convective flow, Viscous, MHD, Free stream, Stagnation Point, Suction, Velocity Rati

Design and construction of 4.27M (LOA) rowing transport boat (punt) for inland water bodies

Flat bottom boat (Rowing Punt) 4.27M length overall (LOA) was designed and constructed using plywood and fiber glass materials. The boat posses features like easy construction stability and high capacity to carry load. Other features include least cost light weight, shallow draft of 9cm easy maneuverability. The light displacement (weight empty) is 96.6kg which is similar to local boat of same size. The capacity of the boat 544kg (8 person) and total cost of production was N41,150.00 which is not beyond the reach of an average fisherman. The Rowing Punt easily propelled by oaring which makes it adequate for fishing activities on shallow water bodies. Such easily maneuvered craft can also be used for recreation which include, sport fishing, and boating

Employee Commitment and Retention among Medical Doctors and Nurses in University Teaching Hospitals in North-Western Nigeria

Employee commitment and retention are two axioms associated with productivity and stability of employment in organizations. This concept is much more important in the health sector. This study investigates the relationships between each dimension of employee commitment and retention as well as determines their combined influence on retention among doctors and nurses in University Teaching Hospitals in North-Western Nigeria. The study uses cross sectional survey data collected in 2015 from 441 respondents drawn through multi-stage sampling technique. The data was analysed using correlation and regression techniques. The results, in line with multidimensional theory of commitment, indicate that employee commitment dimensions (affective, continuance and normative) are significantly related to retention. Contrary to findings of some previous studies, however, normative commitment is more prevalent in affecting retention than affective commitment. The study, therefore, recommends that management should foster and sustain high levels of affective and normative commitments among employees. Critical working tools should also be made readily available and the overall working environment be made conducive in order to enhance their commitment and retention. Key Words: Employee Commitment, Retention, Management, Teaching Hospitals, Nigeria