A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SERVICE DELIVERY AMONG MOBILE NETWORK PROVIDERS IN GHANA: A CASE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

The aim of the study was to identify the dimensions of mobile telecommunication services in Ghana as well as to develop a model to identify consumer satisfaction. The research was a non-experimental, explorative, quantitative study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of hundred (300) participants from the University of Ghana.The result showed that the majority of the respondents were satisfied with the overall mobile service offered by their service providers. From the results, call quality was found to be the most important determinant of consumer satisfaction with mobile telecommunication services (β = 0.276, t= 5.729, P< 0.001).This was followed by Network charges (β =0.209, t= 4.344, P< 0.01). In conclusion, the study results suggests that customer niche is a very peculiar one, with several unique characteristic with regards to their demographic and preferences and therefore should be targeted with the kind marketing activities that is likely to interest the

Natural Resources and the Economic Growth of West Africa Economies

In this study, we employed the pooled mean group (PMG) regression to examine the effect of natural resources economic rent (coal rent, gas rent, oil rent, forest rent, minerals rent) and foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in West Africa for the period 1996 to 2017. We found strong evidence of a positive relationship between FDI, total natural resources (TNR), total natural gas (TNG), and economic growth in the long-run. However, the study recorded a negative relationship between mineral resources rent, oil rent and gas rent, and economic growth in the long run. The rent from coal also exhibited neutrality on economic growth. While all the short-run coefficients are not statistically significant, the error correction term (ECT) is significant and a negative value of -0.889, signifying cointegration at a 1% significance level. This also implies that the short-run estimates converge towards the long-run estimates to achieve equilibrium at the speed of 89% per annum. Our findings highlight the significance of FDI and total rent from natural resources in stimulating West African economies' growth in the industrialization drive and general welfare. In contrast, this study also highlights the need for policy direction to redesign and realign ownership in the oil and gas sector from multinational co-operations (MNCs) to the locals and the domestic economy to benefit directly from the prevailing environment

Coconut oil and palm oil’s role in nutrition, health and national development: A review

Coconut and palm oils which were the major sources of dietary fats for centuries in most of West Africa have been branded as unhealthy highly saturated fats. Their consumption has been peddled to supposedly raise the level of blood cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. This adverse view has led to a reduction in their consumption in West Africa and they have been substituted for imported vegetable oils. Recent information however, indicates some beneficial effects of these oils particularly their roles in nutrition, health and national development. There is the need for a better understanding of their effects on health, nutritional status and national development. This paper therefore attempts to review the roles which coconut and palm oils play in these respects in developing countries, as a means of advocating for a return to their use in local diets.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Palm oil, coconut oil, nutrition, health, national developmen

Association between lifestyle and health variables with nutritional status of the elderly in the Northern Region of Ghana

With fertility and mortality steadily declining, a remarkable shift in the world’s population age structure toward older ages is expected in the coming decades. The elderly population is at particular risk of malnutrition. The presence of malnutrition could be the result of, and also lead to, social, medical and other health problems. Currently, Ghana has the highest proportion of persons aged 60 years and above in sub-Saharan Africa and little attention has been given to this segment of the population. A cross-sectional study of 400 (177 males and 223 females) individuals who are 65 years and above was carried out in urban areas in the Northern Region of Ghana to evaluate the nutrition and health situation of the elderly. Socio-demographic and economic data, dietary patterns, state of health, level of physical activity and lifestyle variables were collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were measured using standard procedures. More than half of the participants (56.2%) were married and living with their spouses. These were mostly the males. Most of the participants (93.5%) had no formal education while over half of them (57.2%) relied on family members and friends for their financial needs. Slightly over half (53.2%) of the subjects had fair health status with females experiencing more disease conditions than males. Almost all the respondents were independent in performing all daily activities. Using Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2 as an indicator for nutritional status, 18.0% of the participants were underweight, 60.5% had normal weight and 21.5% were overweight. Alcohol consumption and sight problems were found to have significant negative association with BMI (p=0.007 and p=0.005, respectively). Malnutrition is, therefore, an important public health burden among the elderly in the region and therefore deserves attention. The formulation and implementation of a national policy on the elderly and nutrition education targeting the whole populace is urgently needed in Ghana to ensure healthy aging.Keywords: nutritional status, elderly, health, lifestyle, dietary intake, body mass inde

Optimal Allocation of Flows (Water) Within the Volta Basin System of Ghana

In this paper, a hypothetical network is proposed for the Volta Basin System (V.B.S) using the optimization technique for obtaining corresponding optimal allocation of flows from runoffs in the sub-basins (source) to the sink (Akosombo reservoir). Maximum flow paths and their capacities with consumptive and non-consumptive flows were identified. We are able to determine the optimal withdrawals on these flows for either consumptive or non-consumptive use.Keywords: Network, sub-basins, sources and sinks, consumptive and non-consumptive flows, optimal allocatio

Insurable and non-insurable risks in complex project deals: case of the Ghanaian construction industry

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the insurable risks that impacted the operations on complex construction projects in developing countries using Ghana as a case study. Design/methodology/approach In this study, structured questionnaires were used to collect relevant information from the top management of construction and insurance firms in Ghana, comprising 50 industry professionals. The study adopted the χ2 and independent samples’ t test to interpret the responses from participants. Findings The study revealed the major risks that severely impacted the operations on complex construction projects, including strikes and labour disputes, long waiting time for approval of test samples, damages to property during construction, delay in payment to contractor for work done, poor construction method, pressure to deliver project on an accelerated schedule, labour shortage, permits delayed or take longer than expected, inaccurate materials estimating, change in weather pattern, low productivity of subcontractors and inadequate contractor experience. Practical implications The study is expected to contribute to increase in the awareness of the insurable risks and policies that project participants are exposed to, which will serve as a decision-making tool for contract formation. Originality/value This study assists in managing construction and insurance firms to note the major risk in managing a complex construction project. In addition to knowing the major risks identified, the study investigates the insurable risk by managing both construction and insurance firms

Onset and duration of cycloplegic action of 1% cyclopentolate – 1% tropicamide combination

Purpose: To study the time course (onset, time and duration of maximal cycloplegia, and the full duration) of cycloplegic action of 1% Cyclopentolate – 1% Tropicamide.Methods: Seventy-seven students, aged 15-24 years were purposively sampled from the University of Cape Coast and Cape Coast Technical Institute. Subjective near addition (ADD) determination and pupil diameter measurement before and after a drop of the test agent (1% Cyclopentolate – 1% Tropicamide combination in the right eye) and the control (1% Cyclopentolate in the left eye) were performed. Measurements of subjective near ADD and pupil diameter were made after the initial reading at 5 minutes interval for the first hour and every 30 minutes for the next 7 hours for each participant. Time of onset, time of peak cycloplegia, duration of peak cycloplegia and duration of total cycloplegic effect was indirectly determined.Results: 1% Cyclopentolate – 1% Tropicamide combination had rapid onset of cycloplegia (5-10 minutes), shorter time of maximal cycloplegia (55 versus 90 minutes), and recovery (7 versus ≥ 8hours) in the majority (79.2%) of subjects.Conclusion: Cyclopentolate –Tropicamide combination was comparable to Cyclopentolate in depth of cycloplegia produced, and clinically superior to 1% Cyclopentolate in rapidity of cycloplegic onset, time of maximal cycloplegia and recovery from cycloplegia.Keywords: Cycloplegia, time course, accommodation, recovery tim

An assessment of mortgage loan default propensity in Ghana

Purpose Credit market development requires appropriate credit assessment and default policies. This paper aims to examine the impact of household characteristics on mortgage default, using survey data collected from Ghanaian financial institutions. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires from customers of five universal banks in Ghana. A logistic regression was used to model the determinants of credit default propensity. Findings Contrary to established knowledge, the study shows that females are more likely to default on credit than their male counterparts. This is even more likely if the female is older, unmarried, divorced and financially illiterate and has lower educational attainments. These factors are associated with lower earning capacity, which increases default tendencies. The findings confirm that price instability (typified by excessive movements in inflation and exchange rates in addition to low national savings rate) are adversely linked to credit defaults. Borrower’s perception of constraints to credit access (such as collateral requirements, interest rate and loan size) influence credit default. Banks should be encouraged to invest in the financial literacy skills development of their customers to mitigate credit default tendencies. Social implications The study is of practical value to credit officers and the development of the credit market in Ghana. A novel model is presented for assessing credit applications and developing credit default policies. Originality/value The research findings have not only expanded the frontiers of literature but also empirically examined the determinants of credit default propensity, which provides a basis for developing and improving credit default policy in the credit market