SUBSTANTIVE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN: THE CASE OF GHANA\u27S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW OF 2007

This study investigates the role of civil society organizations (CSOs), especially gender-based groups in increasing the \u27substantive\u27 representation or the perspectives, views, and concerns of women in public policy-making in emerging democracies. In the last 30 years, calls for equality in the representation of women have received a boost mainly because of the disparity between the proportions of women in national populations and in legislatures. In Ghana where women are about 50 percent of the population, women constitute only 8.7 percent of the 230-member parliament as of January 2009. Such disparities produce critical implications for women\u27s empowerment and participation in public policy-making, especially in emerging democracies. Ghana\u27s return to democratic governance in 1992 brought with it guaranteed freedoms and new avenues for participation by CSOs. Various civil society groups, including the women\u27s movement have emerged to take advantage of the new avenues to organize and be part of the democratic process. However, there is yet to be a comprehensive analysis of the role these groups play in the democratization process, especially in increasing women\u27s substantive representation and participation in Ghana, and so this study fills that gap. This mixed-method qualitative research applies a revision of John Kingdon\u27s multiple streams framework to comprehensively analyze the activities of the women\u27s movement to understand their motivations, goals, and impacts on the democratic process in Ghana. The archival information and also key informant interviews reviewed about the resources, strategies, and challenges faced by the women\u27s movement in their advocacy for Ghana\u27s 2007 Domestic Violence Law showed that such groups play vital role in democratization. A major finding from this study is that gender-based CSOs enhance avenues for attracting much-needed outside resources for institution and capacity building for both grassroots groups and official policy actors to improve the democratic process, especially in emerging societies. The study therefore argues that societies should recognize and support the development of CSOs to increase the avenues for participation by under-represented groups like women in the policy process. This position is more relevant in societies where women still have \u27token\u27 representations or fewer than 30 percent women in legislatures, and where institutional inadequacies exacerbate an already precarious situation for women\u27s participation in the policy process

Perceptions of Communications Mix as a Bank Marketing Strategy- The Case of Rural and Community Banks In Ghana

The study aimed to explore and find out the perceptions of staff and customers on communication mix strategies employed by the selected banks A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the final 561 samples for the study 1 The quota sampling technique was used in the first stage 2 The simple random sampling technique was used in the second stage to select the representative RCBs from each of the ten 10 regions Lastly purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the manager of marketing and communications as well as employees and clients from each of selected RCBs from the ten regions respectively in the third stage Findings from the study revealed that there is a positive perception of marketing communication importance among the selected Rural Banks in Ghana The overall perception index of 0 50 further suggests that clients of RCBs across the country have a positive perception about the operation of the RCBs in Ghana and their choice of the marketing communication mix Additionally clients and staff of the RCBs had a relatively good perception of communications mix employed by the RCBs and agreed to the extent that marketing communications arecritical to the survival of RCB

Working Capital Management and Economic Policy Uncertainty

In the aftermath of the financial crisis, Ernst and Young (2009) working capital report note that the leading 2,000 corporations in the US and Europe can extract an up to US$1 trillion if they manage their working capital efficiently. While the existing literature documents the effects of working capital management on firm performance, there is a dearth of research between economic uncertainty and working capital management. We attempt to fill this gap by examining the effect of the economic policy uncertainty on firms’ ability to manage their working capital. For this study, with over 80,000 US firm-year observation over the period 1996 through 2016, we document the following. A consistent negative association between economic uncertainty and working capital management. Economically, we interpret the result that, economic uncertainty leads firms to pursue aggressive working capital management, leading to a fourteen days improvement in working capital

Characterization of crested wheatgrass germplasms for plant maturity and associated physiological and morphological traits

Crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.] is a drought tolerant, winter hardy perennial grass used for early spring grazing in western Canada. This grass matures early, and mature plants are not palatable for grazing animals. The objectives of this study were: 1) determine DNA content and ploidy level of 45 crested wheatgrass accessions 2) to characterize crested wheatgrass germplasm for plant maturity and associated agronomic characteristics to identify superior germplasm with late maturity; 3) to evaluate flowering time of selected germplasms of crested wheatgrass under a controlled environment. A field plot was established using 45 crested wheatgrass accessions in July 2014 at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Saskatoon Research Center at Saskatoon SK, Canada using a randomized complete block design with four replications with data collected in 2015, 2016 and 2017. On the basis of DNA content (pg 2C-1 =DNA content of diploid somatic nucleus), mean DNA content was 14.12 pg 2C-1 for diploid, 28.02 pg 2C-1 and 39.48 pg 2C-1 for tetraploid and hexaploid crested wheatgrass, respectively. Among the 45 accessions, there were 8 diploid, 31 tetraploid, and 6 hexaploid accessions. Plant maturity and other measured characteristics differed significantly among the ploidy levels. Days to heading, plant height, leaf-to-stem ratio, forage DM yield, leafiness and plant vigor and nutritive value (crude protein, neutral detergent and acid detergent fibers) differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among accessions at flowering stage. In this study, days to heading showed a positive correlation with leaf-to-stem ratio (r=0.23, P<0.0001), indicating that selection for later maturity in crested wheatgrass may lead to an increase in leafiness. When all 45 accessions were considered, there was a non-significant correlation between days to heading and DM yield (r= 0.07, P=0.09), but this relationship was significant (r=0.34, P<0.0001) when only Canadian breeding lines and cultivars were considered. Based on agronomic performance and nutritive value, the 45 crested wheatgrass accessions were grouped into three main clusters. In addition, ranking of days to heading among selected accessions was consistent in field and controlled environments. In conclusion, plant maturity varied within- and among- accessions, among ploidy levels, and selection for late maturity may simultaneously increase forage DM yield and leaf-to-stem ratio in crested wheatgrass. Information obtained from this study on agro-morphological traits, nutritive values and ploidy determination among the 45 crested wheatgrass accessions will be useful for future crested wheatgrass breeding programs

The Impact of Sales Promotions on the Performance of Auto-Mobile Industries in Ghana: A Case Study of PHC Motors (Accra-Ghana)

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of sales promotion on organisational performance in the auto mobile industry in Ghana.   The study was conducted at PHC Motors Ghana’s Retail Outlet in Accra, Ghana.  The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between sales promotion and organisational performance, to examine the effect of sales promotion in the automobile market, and to identify the challenges hindering sales promotions effectiveness.The study used descriptive research approach and the data was purely quantitative. In order to achieve this objective, thirty (30) respondents were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. The Data was analysing using SPSS obtained from the field. The research revealed that the impact of sales promotion on organizational performance in PHC is intense. Also, from the management perspective most of the respondents agree that sale promotion provides extra incentives to purchase as well as stimulating resellers demand and effectiveness. The study devoted to conclude the relationship between sale promotion and the organizational performance, most sales promotion provide extra incentives to purchase as well as stimulating resellers demand and  effectiveness. It revealed that effective sales promotion increase sales. The researcher therefore recommended that, management of PHC Motors should embark on more strategic sale promotion in order to increase their market share and profitability. Keywords:  Sales promotion, Auto mobile industry, Performance, Relationship, Ghana.

The Role of Strategy in a Competitive Business Environment: A Case Study of Ecobank Ghana Limited

The financial systems in Ghana tend to evolve around the banking system. The banking sector is experiencing increased competitions in the new deregulated market. Competition in the banking sector matters for a number of reasons. Operating in the competitive banking environment is very challenging. Formulating a consistent strategy is an intricacy for many management teams, making that strategy work is even more complex. The aim of this study is to examine the role of strategy in competitive business environment. A case study research design was adopted for easy assessment of the role of strategy in a competitive environment. Ecobank Ghana Limited, the Pan African bank was adopted for the case study area. Both primary and secondary source data was used with a sample size of 320 respondents. Convenient sampling technique was used to collect data from Management of Ecobank.  The study therefore found that the competitive strategies of Ecobank Ghana are effective and that the strategies have contributed to high financial performance of the bank. The impact of competitive strategies on the performance of the bank are increasing sales volume; profit efficiency, increase productivity, increase in ROE, businesses and sustainable growth increased market share, enhanced customer service and increased of customer waiver of charges. The study recommends that the bank should work hard to build and sustain its competitive advantage and be prepared for the next wave of market reforms and restructuring by applying new methods of information technology and upgrading the skills of staff and management. Keywords: Strategy, Competive Business Environmen

Internal Migration and Poverty Reduction in Ghana

This study utilizes primary data from seven (7 out of the 10) regions to assess the impact of internal migration on poverty reduction in Ghana. Internal migration is interpreted in this study as short-term coping strategies that help migrants and their dependants to achieve a basic level of consumption. The analysis show that there is a positive relationship between internal migration and poverty reduction because of the opportunities they provide in areas of short-term and flexible labour force. The study therefore recommends for policy makers to take a critical look at the phenomenon of internal migration in order to institute policies that lessen the burdens of internal migrants. There is also the need to explore avenues for enhancing the resource capabilities of current migrants and their beneficiaries as a potential strategy to diversify their remunerative options in the long term. Keywords: Migration, Poverty reduction, Economic Developmen

Developing Service Delivery Standards for the Hospitality Industry in Ghana

Tourism trends in the whole wide world suggest that it is one of the biggest industries which employ over ten million people, globally. In a bid to get its fair share in this industry, the Government of Ghana has given greater attention to developing the hospitality industry to attract and accommodate a large number of tourists. However, most of the hotels in Ghana are beset with many problems as a result of poor service quality practices and its ownership types. Additionally, geographical location, cultural practices and economic factors has had a tremendous effect on their performance.  Against this background, the goal of this study include identifying some of the management problems by assessing the extent to which management practices are applied toward the delivery of quality services in the hotel business in Ghana. The research investigates the extent to which service quality operations are managed in Ghana vis-à-vis the mandatory requirements set by the Ghana Tourist Board (GTO) and the World Tourism Organisation (WTO). The study suggests ways for improving hotel quality and destination competitiveness through strategic destination management decision-making. Keywords: Service Quality Standards, Hospitality Industry, Tourism Developmen

Management of Conflicts in Senior High Schools in Central Region, Ghana

Conflict management in the Senior High Schools has become a critical issue which needs to be looked at by propounding new models to complement or replace entirely the school disciplinary committee system that has become the order of the day. Causes of conflict in the school system vary and ranges from religious cause through misapplied policy, lack of technical know-how in conflict management to representation of school leaders in the day- to- day administration of the school. The paper looks at management of conflict from different perspectives by discussing and analyzing the root causes and sources of school conflicts in the administration of schools in Senior High Schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The findings suggest that administration and management of Senior High School in the Central Region are disadvantaged by the increased rates of conflict situations and that also militate against the smooth running of school administration. Keywords: Senior High School, Single Spine Salary Structure, School Management, Conflict Resolutio