EFFECT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND MARKETING COMMUNICATION MIX ON CUSTOMERS’ LOYALTY IN THE GHANAIAN BANKING INDUSTRY

The study investigates the effect of customer satisfaction and marketing communication mix on customers’ loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. Explanatory design was used to investigate the association between the independent variables: customer satisfaction, public relations, advertising, sales promotion and the dependent variable: customers’ loyalty. Questionnaire was the main instruments for data collection from 250 customers of banks in Accra, Ghana. SPSS version 20 was employed for data analysis. The study revealed a strong positive relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. Also, the study showed a moderate but significant relationship between public relations and customers’ loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. On the bases of these findings, the study recommended that the banks should continue to strive to achieve customer satisfaction by fulfilling customers’ needs and wants since it can engender customer loyalty. This can be done by understanding all the factors affecting customer satisfaction. Also, it was recommended that public relations must not be discarded but strengthened to complement the other marketing communication mix to help encourage customer loyalty in the Ghanaian banking industry. Article visualizations

The Role of Solar Power in Enhancing Sustainable Energy in Electricity Generation Mix Across Ghana

Sustainable energy is a key driver in the preservation of the environment and the development of Economies, and Society. Sustainable energy, solar power is one of them, is more concerned with how energy needs can be met today, and tomorrow for generations yet unborn. Energy supply from sustainable sources is significant for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because of its clean and climate action. Therefore, the study examined a qualitative assessment of solar energy’s role in enhancing energy security, and environmental sustainability in the electricity generation mix in Ghana. The research uncovers some findings through a qualitative analysis of downloaded papers from the Energy Commission of Ghana and the Ministry of Energy to supplement peer-reviewed scholarly literature. The study revealed that solar energy installed and connected to the grid is 143.9 MW representing 3% of the electricity generation mix despite Ghana’s substantial solar energy potential. The 143.9 MW is insufficient to guarantee the country's energy security. Again, it was discovered that in response to the global call for a cohesive approach to tackle the challenges of climate change, developing more solar energy would offset the country from millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. This would save the environment and contribute favourably to Ghana's Nationally Determined Contribution in response to the Paris agreement in 2015. An effective solar energy master plan is needed for the massive development of solar energy because of the abundance of solar potential in Ghana

Characterization of fine particulate sources at Ashaiman in Greater Accra, Ghana

AbstractThe sources of airborne fine particles in PM2.5 range influencing air quality at Ashaiman, a semi–urban town north of Tema in Ghana had been investigated. Nuclepore and quartz fiber filters were used for the air particulate loadings and analyzed for elemental and carbonaceous compound (EC and OC) concentrations in the 8 carbon fractions using X–Ray spectrometry system and IMPROVE/Thermal Optical Reflectance method respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was utilized to identify the following eight sources; industrial emissions (11.4%), fresh sea salt (15.5%), diesel emissions (18.4%), biomass burning (9.5%), two stroke engines (5.1%), gasoline emissions (15.8%), aged sea salt (6.2%), and soil dust (17.7%). Source locations were verified by means of Conditional Probability Function (CPF) plots that utilize wind directions. The source contributions revealed the high influence of fossil fuel and biomass combustion on the air quality in Ashaiman. The presence of the harbor and the industries located at Tema were seen to have substantial impacts on respirable air particulate matter (APM) concentrations in Ashaiman

Barriers to Adherence to Diet and Exercise Recommendation amongst Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Diet modification and exercise require commitment to long term established behavioural change and are often very difficult. The study aimed at assessing the barriers to adherence to diet and exercise recommendations among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients seeking healthcare at Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Ghana. A sample size of 212 respondents aged ≥30 years who have been diagnosed of Type 2 DM for at least one year were sampled using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The study revealed that rates of non-adherence were 34.9% and 19.3% for diet and exercise respectively. Reasons for exercise  non-adherence included inadequate understanding about exercise (66.0%), perception that exercise could potentially exacerbate their illness (46.4%), being far away from home (16.5%) and busy schedule (15.5%), while the main reasons for non-adherence to diet were inadequate understanding about dietary recommendations (52.3%), eating outside home (32.4%), poor self-control (17.6%), financial constraints (14.9) and situation at home (12.1%). The study also found a strong positive correlation (r=0.984*, p<0.05) between respondents’ age and adherence to exercise recommendation. It is recommended that education on the type of exercise, time and duration of the exercise and the different food combinations for the Type 2 DM should be intensified in diabetic clinics. Keywords: Aerobic, Barriers, Diabetes, Diet and Exercise, Adherence

Maternal mortality at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana: A five-year review

Maternal death is a major global health issue with the highest impact in low-income countries. Despite some modest decline in the maternal mortality rates in Ghana since the 1990’s, this has been below expectation. The aim of this study was to describe the trends and contributory factors to maternal mortality at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana. We performed a retrospective chart review of all maternal deaths at KBTH from 2015 to 2019. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Over the period, there were 45,676 live births, 276 maternal deaths and a maternal mortality ratio of 604/100,000 live births (95% CI: 590/100,000 - 739/100,000). The leading causes of maternal death were hypertensive disorders (37.3%), hemorrhage (20.6%), Sickle cell disease (8.3%), sepsis (8.3%), and pulmonary embolism (8.0%). Significant factors associated with maternal mortalities at the KBTH were: women with no formal education [AOR 3.23 (CI: 1.73 - 7.61)], women who had less than four antenatal visits [AOR 1.93(CI: 1.23-3.03)], and emergency cesarean section [AOR 3.87(CI: 2.51-5.98)]. Hypertensive disorders remain the commonest cause of the high maternal mortality at KBTH. Formal education and improvement in antenatal visits may help prevent these deaths. La mortalité maternelle est un problème de santé mondial majeur ayant le plus grand impact dans les pays à faible revenu.Malgré une légère baisse du taux de mortalité maternelle au Ghana depuis les années 1990, cela a été au-dessous des attentes. Le but de cette étude était de décrire les tendances et les facteurs qui contribuent à la mortalité maternelle à l’Hôpital Universitaire de Korle Bu (KBTH), Accra Ghana. Nous avons effectué un examen rétrospectif des dossiers concernant les décès maternels à KBTH de 2015 à 2019. Les données ont analysé à l’aide de SPSS version 23. Une valeur p de <0,05 était considérée comme statistiquement significatif. Sur la période, il y a eu 45 676 naissances, 276 décès maternels et un taux de mortalité maternelle de 604/100 000 naissances (IC à 95% : 590/100 000 – 739/100 000). Les causes principales des décès maternels étaient les troubles hypertensifs (37,3%), les hémorragies (20,6%), la drépanocytose (8,3%) la septicémie (8,3%) et l’embolie pulmonaire (8,0%). Les facteurs importants associés aux mortalités maternelles à KBTH étaient : les femmes sans éducation formelle [AOR 3,23 (IC : 1,73-7,61)], les femmes qui ont eu moins de quatre visites prénatales [AOR 1.93 (IC : 1,23-3,03)] et l’urgence césarienne [AOR 3,87(IC : 2,51- 5,98)]. Les troubles hypertensifs restent la cause le plus fréquente de la mortalité maternelle à KBTH. Une éducation formelle et une amélioration des visites prénatales peuvent aider à éviter ces décès

Rapid assessment methods for small farm storage surveys

Farm surveys are often the first step taken in identifying storage problems. As time and money for such work are generally scarce, it is important to be able to make the best use of them to get the information needed. This paper describes some of the specific techniques and experience developed by the Ghana MoFA/UK ODA Larger Grain Borer Project for rapid storage surveys on small-scale farms. It is argued that the following factors can critically contribute to producing more timely and relevant results: • formulation of specific survey objectives which focus on gathering data needed for decision-making. • use of a range of techniques to meet these objectives, including secondary data and key informants, informal surveys, case studies and participatory meetings. • avoidance of unwitting sampling bias, using rapid techniques such as transect village walks to select farmers, along with careful timing of field visits. • methods of sample analysis which can be used in the field, rather than the lab. Field analysis has many benefits including cost, speed, potential for increased sampling, and most importantly the greater participation of farmers and field staff in the analysis and interpretation of results. • use of rapid and flexible techniques of analysis and presentation, in particular mapping. Practical examples of each of these are given

FUNERALS AMONG THE AKAN PEOPLE: SOME PERSPECTIVES ON ASANTE

This work discusses the processes of celebrating funerals among the Akan people, some Akan belief systems and modern trends that have evolved in funeral ceremonies. It also demonstrates the complexities involved in organizing the funeral from the day of death culminating into the celebration of the final funeral rite. The actual purpose of funeral is to honor the dead for their meritorious services on earth, ushering them into eternal glory and to integrate them into the next world. However, there are often some skirmishes that militate against these positive motives. As a result, some families that used to be closely knitted end up being divided. Other members of a family stop communicating with each other. In some cases , funerals result in legal wrangling lasting for a number of years and some have been slapped with injunctions, leaving a heavy debt on some families. Others are also disorganized as a result of misunderstanding. The objective of this study is to identify the factors and perspectives that characterize funeral celebration among the Akan people , and the Asante in particular. It studies the processes in Akan funerals and the changes they have undergone through time

The level of knowledge and associated socio-demographic factors on cervical cancer among women: a cross-sectional study at Kenyase Bosore community, Ghana

INTRODUCTION : cervical cancer is a major cause of death amongst women around the world. In Ghana, it accounts for over 2,119 female deaths and about 3,151 new diagnoses of the disease. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. This study aims at assessing the knowledge on risk factors, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer among women in Kenyase Bosore, Ghana. METHODS : this study was a crosssectional descriptive study conducted among women in Bosore Kenyase, Ghana. A total of 200 women were selected for the studies using the convenience sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection and statistical package for social sciences application was also used to analyse the data. Pearson chi-square test was used to find associations between knowledge and awareness level and socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. RESULTS : overall, 9.7% of the respondents had high knowledge on cervical cancer, 20.6% had moderate knowledge and 69.7% had low knowledge on cervical cancer. There was a significant association between educational background (p=0.000) and awareness level of the respondents. There was also a significant association between the occupation (p=0.003), educational background (p=0.000) and knowledge level of the respondents. CONCLUSION : the knowledge level of the respondents was very low. Specifically, the respondents had inadequate knowledge on risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. The authors recommend the intensification of cervical cancer education in Kenyase Bosore, and Ghana as a whole.http://www.panafrican-med-journal.comam2020School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH