Generic Strategies and Firm’s Performance in the Banking Sector

The main goal of the current study was to establish the relationship that exists between generic strategies and firm’s performance in the banking sector. The study reviewed literature on generic strategies employ by banks in Ghana in line with Porter’s typology. The researcher employed descriptive survey design and purely quantitative approach with data collected from 200 respondents. The outcome of the study revealed that cost leadership is the most outstanding competitive strategy, whilst overall differentiation and low cost strategies are most commonly used in the banking industry. The study concluded that generic strategies are the most influential competitive strategies for performance of banking firms in Ghana. The author recommended that all staff should remain focus in designing services that make them unique from others to achieve the overall differentiation strategy and make all staff be committed to cost control in all areas to achieve low cost strategy. Keywords: Generic Strategies, Strategies, Cost Leadership, Focus and Differentiatio

Employee Training and Development: What Trade-offs for the Public Sector in Ghana?

The purpose of the study is to explore, examine and analyze the factors that account for the inability of the trained employees of the MMDAs to apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired from training and development programmes to their job and its effect on organizational performance and effectiveness. It also seeks to identify problems limiting professional development and to propose pragmatic systematic training and development models .To achieve this objective, a descriptive survey design was employed. A stratified and simple random sampling methods were employed to obtain a sample size (n) of 100 eligible respondents from a population (N) of 125 employees. The sample size was made up of 6 senior level employees, 26 middle level employees and 68 operational level employees. Self-administered questionnaires were used to gather primary data, while books, journals, and articles were used for the secondary data. .A total of 95 responses, representing 95 percent of the sample were judged good enough and was used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the questionnaire and the results were presented in percentages, tables and cross-tabulations. Selected independent variables such as identification of training needs, training content, facilitation process, skills acquired, utilization of skills and changes in employee performance were related to organizational performance and effectiveness, the dependent variable. This was based on the assumption that training and development of employees enhance organizational performance and effectiveness. Keywords: Organisational performance, training and development, training needs Assessment, transfer of learning.

Extraction of Coconut Oil by Small-Scale Processors in Ghana: Operations and Constraints

This article explores the various procedures and constraints associated with coconut oil processing by small-scale processors in Jomoro District of the Western Region of Ghana. Thirty (30) respondents from four randomly selected villages with significant coconut oil production and processing were interviewed using a questionnaire. The study revealed 53% males and 47% females, 87% within the age of 20-49 years with 53.3% literate are engaged in the enterprise. Processing of coconut oil involves removing husk using a spike, cracking shell with a cutlass to remove the meat   followed by size reduction into fine textured fibre by a rotary grater. Fibre is mixed with water to obtain milk, which is decanted into long plastic/metal barrels for settling and fermentation ranging between 2-3 days for quality oil. Oil suspended is skimmed off and refined immediately to avoid rancidity. Refining involves boiling the oil to evaporate water. Oil is cooled, filtered and stored in lightproof, airtight containers in a cool place. Containers for re-use are not cleared of previous oil, affecting oil quality. Challenges processors face include lack of improved coconut oil extraction technologies, financial constraints, lack of support from local authority. The small- scale coconut oil extraction provides job for the youth therefore the need to promote the industry by provision of modern and improved technologies, credit and training. Keywords: Small-scale processors, Operations, Constraints, Wet processing, Rotary Grater

The impact of intrapartum and immediate post-partum complications and newborn care practices on breastfeeding initiation in Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of intrapartum and post-partum complications and newborn care practices on early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF). Data for the study came from a prospective cohort study in Ethiopia that recruited and followed pregnant and post-partum women from 2019 to 2021. Resident enumerators conducted interviews at enrolment in 2019 and follow-ups at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year post-partum. The present analysis is based on data from the baseline survey and 6 weeks follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of newborn care practices and intrapartum and post- partum complications on EIBF (the proportion of newborns who initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth). Overall, 2660 mother-infant pairs were included in this analysis. After adjustment, EIBF was less likely among women who experienced intrapartum haemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-0.97), malpresentation (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.30-0.72) and convulsions (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34-0.66) during childbirth. Mother-newborn skin-to-skin contact increased the likelihood of EIBF (AOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.11-1.94). Women who experienced post-partum haemorrhage (AOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47-0.84), retained placenta for more than 30 min (AOR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.24-0.52) and convulsions after delivery (AOR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.41-0.79) were less likely to initiate breastfeeding early. Also, women who had a caesarean birth (AOR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18-0.41), delivered outside of a healthcare facility (AOR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50-0.99) or had twin birth (AOR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.22-0.85) were less likely to initiate breastfeeding early. Skin-to-skin contact should be encouraged whenever possible, and women with obstetric complications should be encouraged and supported to initiate breastfeeding early

Prevalence and factors associated with the awareness of obstetric fistula among women of reproductive age in The Gambia: a multilevel fixed effects analysis

Background An obstetric fistula is an inappropriate connection between the vagina, rectum, or bladder that results in faecal or urine incontinence. Young women from rural areas with poor socioeconomic situations and education are the majority of victims, which restricts their access to high-quality healthcare. Obstetric fistulas can have devastating effects on the physical health of affected women if they are not promptly treated. Inadequate awareness of the symptoms delays recognition of the problem, prompt reporting, and treatment. Women with poor awareness of the disorder are also more likely to develop complications, including mental health issues. Using data from a nationally representative survey, this study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with the awareness of obstetric fistula among women of reproductive age in The Gambia. Methods This study used population-based cross-sectional data from the 2019–2020 Gambia Demographic and Health survey. A total of 11823 reproductive-aged women were sampled for this study. Stata software version 16.0 was used for all statistical analyses. Obstetric fistula awareness was the outcome variable. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted, and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of obstetric fistula awareness was 12.81% (95%CI: 11.69, 14.12). Women aged 45–49 years (aOR = 2.17, 95%CI [1.54, 3.06]), married women (aOR = 1.39, 95%CI [1.04, 1.87]), those with higher education (aOR = 2.80, 95%CI [2.08, 3.79]), and women who worked as professionals or occupied managerial positions (aOR = 2.32, 95%CI [1.74, 3.10]) had higher odds of obstetric fistula awareness. Women who had ever terminated pregnancy (aOR = 1.224, 95%CI [1.06, 1.42]), those who listened to radio at least once a week (aOR = 1.20, 95%CI [1.02, 1.41]), ownership of a mobile phone (aOR = 1.20, 95%CI [1.01, 1.42]) and those who were within the richest wealth index (aOR = 1.39, 95%CI [1.03, 1.86]) had higher odds of obstetric fistula awareness. Conclusion Our findings have revealed inadequate awareness of obstetric fistula among women of reproductive-age in The Gambia. Obstetric fistulas can be mitigated by implementing well-planned public awareness initiatives at the institutional and community levels. We, therefore, recommend reproductive health education on obstetric fistula beyond the hospital setting to raise reproductive-age women's awareness

The performance of structural screws in Canadian Glulam

The development of engineered wood products (EWPs), such as glued laminated timber, has led to the production of structural members with increased strength and spanning capabilities compared with solid sawn lumber and timber, and similar to what one could attain with commonly sized steel and reinforced concrete members. An important reason for the underutilisation of wood for heavy construction is the limitation of the CSA O86 Wood Design Standard especially as it applies to the design of fastenings for highly loaded connections. This thesis addresses the connection design of glulam and sawn wood using structural self-tapping/self-drilling screws from Europe.The CSA–O86 Standard provides formulas for the design of both lag and wood screws in Canada. Recently in Europe structural screws have been developed which combine the advantages of both lag and wood screws. These screws have high load carrying capacities and withdrawal strengths and are also self-tapping/self-drilling, hence in most cases do not need lead holes. However CSA O86 has no specific design provisions for these screws. To assess their viability for use in Canada, two test programs were carried out; the first on the withdrawal resistance of the screws and the second on the performance of inclined screws in joist-to-header connections. Douglas fir Larch(20f-E), Spruce Pine (20f-E) and Nordic Lam (24f-1.9E) glulam in conjunction with a variety of 6, 8, 10 and 12mm diameter European structural screws were used for the withdrawal tests, while the joist to header connections were made of No.2 white pine timber connected by double threaded 8.2mm WT-T screws from SFS intec. In all 1960 withdrawal test were carried out. The test setup and procedure was modelled after ASTM D1761.The joist to header test set-up, involving 14 tests was modelled after ASTM D7147. The main aim of the withdrawal test program was to recommend a generic equation for use in the design of these screw connections with Canadian glulam. In the process the effects of Canadian wood density, depth of penetration, screw diameter and lead holes on the withdrawal resistance of the screws were assessed. The aim of the joist to header connection test program was to compare the performance of dry specimen with that of the same connection in wet timber.The test results demonstrated that the withdrawal strength per unit length increases with denser wood, except 6mm and 8mm in Nordic Lam glulam. The depth of penetration affects the withdrawal strength, where for larger screws an increase of slightly more than double was obtained for 12d penetration compared to 6d.The orientation of the glulam, that is either top or side, was insignificant other than the effect it had on the scatter of the strength results. The use of lead holes was shown for both the 8mm and 10mm not to influence the withdrawal strength. However the lead holes improved the ease of installation for the larger screws, especially in the dense glulam.The tests results were compared with the predicted characteristic and average withdrawal resistance values, which were calculated using formulas found in timber codes around the world, namely CSA O86 (Canada), NDS (USA), Eurocode 5 (Europe), DIN 1052 (German) and from other researchers including Frese and Blaβ (GER), Pirnbacher and Schickhofer (AUT) and McLain (USA). All methods resulted in a reasonable prediction of the withdrawal resistance except for the CSA O86 formula for lag screws which was very conservative. The McLain formula for lag screws provided the closest prediction of the test result, but bearing in mind the variability of wood, all the other methods could be considered as acceptable except for the CSA O86 lag screw equation. Regarding the joist-to-header cross screw connections, the dry tests were measured to have a 35% increase in resistance compared with the wet specimens; furthermore, the Kevarinmäki formula provided the most accurate prediction of the resistance.Le développement de produits de bois d'ingénierie a entrainé la production d'éléments de structure de la résistance et de portée supérieures, et similaires à ce qu'il pourrait être atteint avec de l'acier de taille commune et des éléments porteurs en béton armé. Une raison importante pour la sous-utilisation de bois pour la construction lourde est la limitation des règles de calcul des charpentes en bois CSA O86, en particulier lorsqu'elles s'appliquent au design d'assemblages soumis à de charges importantes. Cette thèse étudie la conception des assemblages en bois lamellé-collé et bois scié utilisant des vis auto perçantes européennes.La norme CSA O86 fournit des formules pour la conception de tire fond et des vis à bois au Canada. En Europe, des vis qui présentent à la fois les avantages de tire fond et des vis à bois ont été récemment développées. Ces vis ont de résistance latérale et à l'arrachement élevée, et sont auto-perçantes. Toutefois, la norme CSA O86 ne contient aucune disposition spécifique pour la conception de ces vis. Pour évaluer la viabilité de leur utilisation au Canada, deux séries de test ont été réalisées: la première sur la résistance à l'arrachement des vis et la seconde sur la performance de vis inclinées dans les connexions entre solive et poutre. Du lamellé-collé Douglas-Mélèze (20f-E), Épinette-Pin (20f-E) et Nordic Lam (24f-1.9E) ont été utilisés avec des variétés de vis européennes de 6, 8, 10 et 12 mm de diamètre pour les essais d'arrachement, tandis que les connections solive-poutre étaient faites de pin blanc no 2 relié par des vis WT-T à double filetage 8.2mm. Au total, 1960 tests d'arrachement ont été effectués d'après ASTM D1761 tandis que 14 du test solive-poutre mis en place ont été effectués d'après ASTM D7147. L'objectif principal du programme de tests d'arrachement était de recommander une équation générique à utiliser dans la conception de ces connexions de vis avec du lamellé-collé canadien. Les effets de la densité du bois, de la profondeur et du diamètre de la vis et des trous pilotes sur la résistance à l'arrachement des vis ont été évalués. Test de connexion solive-poutre était de comparer la performance de l'échantillon sec avec celle de la même connexion en bois humide.Les résultats montrent que la résistance à l'arrachement augmente avec la densité du bois, à l'exception de vis 6 et 8 mm dans le lamellé-collé Nordic Lam. La résistance à l'arrachement est influence par la profondeur de pénétration et pour les plus grandes vis, il a été un peu plus que doublée pour une pénétration 12d par rapport à 6d. L'orientation du lamellé-collé, qui peut être transversale ou latérale, n'a pas d'importance autre que son effet sur la dispersion des valeurs de résistance. Il a été montré que trous pilotes n'influence pas la résistance à l'arrachement pour les diamètres 8 mm et 10 mm mais elles améliorent la facilité d'installation pour les vis plus grandes, en le bois lamellé-collé dense.Les résultats des tests ont été comparés avec les valeurs caractéristiques prédites par calculs selon des formules trouvées dans cette codes ; CSA O86 (Canada), NDS(USA), l'Eurocode 5 (Europe),DIN 1052(Allemagne) et de chercheurs, dont Frese et Blaβ, Pirnbacher et Schickhofer, et McLain. Toutes les méthodes ont conduit à une prédiction raisonnable de la résistance à l'arrachement, à l'exception de la formule de CSA O86 pour les vis de compression, qui est très conservatrice. La formule de McLain pour les vis à compression donne la prédiction la plus proche des résultats des essais, mais compte tenu de la variabilité du bois, toutes les autres méthodes peuvent être considérés comme acceptables, à l'exception de celle de la CSA O86 pour les tire fond. En ce qui concerne les connexions solive-poutre par des vis inclinées,les essais à sec montrent une augmentation de 35% de la résistance par rapport aux spécimens humides;en outre la formule de Kevarinmäki donne la prédiction de résistance la plus précise

Reading, singing, and storytelling: the impact of caregiver-child interaction and child access to books and preschool on early childhood development in Ghana

Abstract Optimal early childhood development (ECD) is crucial in shaping future academic and economic accomplishments. Recognising its profound influence, the United Nations has included a specific target and indicator related to ECD in the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure universal access to high-quality ECD for all preschoolers by 2030. This study investigated whether caregiver-child engagements, early stimulation, and learning opportunities are associated with ECD among children aged 36–59 months. Data on 6752 children were pooled from the 2011 and 2017 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. The ECD outcomes of interest were literacy-numeracy, social-emotional, learning-cognitive, and physical development, measured with UNICEF's Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI). Binary logistic regression assessed the effects of various caregiver-child engagements and early learning opportunities on the ECD outcomes. We found that most children were developmentally on track in the physical (95.0%) and learning-cognitive (86.4%) domains, but fewer were on track in the literacy-numeracy (36.7%) and social-emotional (68.6%) domains. Reading to or with a child (aOR 1.72; 95% CI 1.35–2.19), telling them stories (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.26–2.04), counting or drawing with them (aOR 1.63; 95% CI 1.30–2.04) and a child’s attendance at preschool (aOR 4.62; 95% CI 3.34–6.38) were associated with a higher odds for on track literacy-numeracy development. Playing with a child was associated with higher odds of on-track social-emotional development (aOR 1.29; 95% CI 1.04–1.59), physical development (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.01–2.55), and learning-cognitive development (aOR 1.51; 95% CI 1.14–2.00). However, singing songs to or with a child (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.62–0.89) and taking a child outside the home (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.64–0.95) were associated with lower odds for on track social-emotional development. Access to children's books at home was associated with higher odds for on track literacy-numeracy and social-emotional development. In subgroup analysis, some observed associations varied depending on a child's residence (urban or rural). Our findings confirmed that caregiver-child  interaction and early learning opportunities could increase a child’s likelihood of achieving early developmental milestones

Efficient Elliptic Curve Arithmetic for Lightweight Cryptographic Schemes for IoT Applications

The Internet of Things’ (IoT) market is expected to grow exponentially at the global level in the coming years, due to the proliferation of more reliable and faster networks resulting from the extensive rollout of 5 to 10 G mobile networks. By 2025, it is expected that worldwide projection of IoT connected devices will be pegged at 30.9 billion units. Despite the potential benefits of the new technology, security in IoT is a major threat. According to HP, 70% of IoT devices are vulnerable to sniffing attacks and reliable solution is yet to be found. The standard cryptographic algorithms such as RSA and AES provide good security but their utilization in IoT is questionably due to hardware and energy constraints for computationally expensive encryption schemes. However, elliptic curve- based cryptography, a recent paradigm in public key cryptography, achieves the same level of security with smaller key sizes. On the other hand, the total score of performance of an elliptic curve-based cryptosystem depends largely on the efficiency of the arithmetic operations performed in it. It is against this background that this paper proposes efficient elliptic curve arithmetic for implementing ECC based schemes suitable for IoT systems implementations. Elliptic curve point arithmetic implementations in projective coordinate systems over binary extension fields introduce higher efficiencies in software. In this regard, this paper has proposed an improved López-Dahab point arithmetic methods on non-supersingular elliptic curves over . The results show 69.20% improvement in Point Doubling, 44.68% in Point Addition and the scalar point multiplication execution time is decreased by 48.80%

Education and Health Care Policies in Ghana: Examining the Prospects and Challenges of Recent Provisions

Ghana is located in West Africa with Accra as its capital. With a population of approximately 25 million (Ghana Statistical Service [GSS], 2012), the country is divided into 10 administrative regions. Its neighbors are Togo to the East, Ivory Coast to the West, and Burkina Faso to the North. The southern part of Ghana is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea. In 1957, Ghana became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from colonial rule. Since the nascent years of the republic, government has been very proactive in recognizing the important benefits of education and health care in the lives of its citizens. The country has a large youthful population with the proportion of youth 15 years and younger constituting 38% of the population (GSS, 2012)

An Enhanced Load Balancing Algorithm for Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Data in a Multi-Cloud Environment

Businesses and individuals have seen the need to adopt the cloud and mulit-cloud environment for their businesses and storage of data. The load balancing concerns especially in the multi-cloud environment was investigated and a new algorithm proposed. In this research, a proposed new load balancing algorithm is presented and compared with the Round Robin (RR) and Weighted Round Robin (WRR) algorithms. The proposed scheduling algorithm considered several Cloud ERP Data chunks to analyse the data transmission rate or throughput, the transmission delay, data loss and the Cloud ERP Data drop ratio. The proposed algorithm performed better compared to the Round Robin (RR) and Weighted Round Robin (WRR) in a multi cloud environment with data chunks above 150 in terms of throughput. The proposed algorithm again outperformed the RR and WRR with a recorded lower transmission delays and lower data loss