Modelling the influencing of green entrepreneurship orientation on sustainable firm performance: a moderated mediation model

This paper aims to develop an integrated model to enhance the relationship between green entrepreneurship orientation (GEO), and sustainable firm performance to encourage sustainable consumption and production, by integrating Natural Resource Based View, and Dynamic Capability Theories with slight modification. We have approached this study through deductive reasoning, and the quantitative research approach. Structured questionnaire has been used to gather data from Green Entrepreneurs across different sectors in Ghana. The analyses have been conducted with the aid of SMART-PLS version 3.3.1 algorithm. Structural Equation Modelling technique has been used to test our hypotheses. Our results have shown that GEO drives green innovative performance, and firm performance. Moreover, green innovative capability significantly moderated the relationship between GEO, and green innovation performance. Again, green innovative performance significantly mediated the relation between GEO, and Sustainable firm performance. In conclusion, environmental sustainability could be achieved through GE, and Environmental Innovative Performance (EIP). Likewise, Green dynamic capability could be used to strengthen the relationship between GEO, and EIP. The implications of this study include the emergence of an integrated model to enhance green entrepreneurship development and environmental sustainability, and social realisation of Sustainability Development Goals 4, 8, 12, and 13 in a developing economy context

Capital Structure and Firm’s Performance in Ghana. Do Macroeconomic Factors Matter?

The paper seeks to investigate how macroeconomic factors affect the relationship between capital structure and bank performance from 2004 to 2014. In this context we try to condition the postulated relations between capital structure and firm performance on the dynamics of the macroeconomic environment of Ghana. We considered the impact of some macroeconomic variables such as inflation and GDP growth. Panel data methodology is adopted in this study. This combines simultaneous cross-section and time series data. The paper employs samples of banks in Ghana. Using fixed effect regression estimation model, a relationship was established between performance (proxied by return on asset and return on equity) and the firms capital structure over a period of ten years. Hausman chi-square test was conducted in each equation.The macroeconomic variables, GDP growth were registered to be significant in both models. This signifies that macroeconomics matter in the bank’s capital structure and performance. Inflation however were found to be insignificant. We therefore recommend that macroeconomic policies should provide a conducive environment for banks operations, in addition the government should develop the bond market

Collapse of Big Banks in Ghana:Lessons on Its Corporate Governance

Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 71371087) Abstract The news that two indigenous banks, UT and Capital Bank have been taken over by GCB Bank has come as a shock to many Ghanaians, as just a year ago, Capital Bank was adjudged the Best Growing Bank, and Best Bank in Deposits & Savings at the15th Edition of Ghana Banking Awards while UT Bank was adjudged best bank in 2011 by the same institution. UT bank is one of Ghana’s most celebrated brands, after it evolved from a micro-finance company into a successful bank.The study reveals the weak compliance to common Corporate Governance practices within the two banks. Specifically, the two banks had small board size as compared to the standard size of the banking industry. Also, the boards did not have enough committees to discharge its operation. The independence of the boards was also impaired as in most of the directors are executives and the non-executive directors have a close relationship with the promoters and executives. Keywords: Corporate Governance, Collapse, Commercial Banks, Board of Directors DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-10-04 Publication date:May 31st 201

Preservice training amid a pandemic in Ghana : predictors of online learning success among teachers

The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has brought the world to a standstill, especially the education sector. Globally, it has claimed over two million lives, with over 100 million people infected, forcing schools to close down. This has reignited the importance of online teaching and learning for preservice teachers who comprise the next frontiers in providing online education to their future students. However, studies on online learning [OL] success among preservice teachers in developing countries, such as Ghana, remain scarce. Accordingly, this study mainly aimed to assess the predictors of OL success among preservice teachers in Ghana. Bandura’s social cognitive theory guided the study; in total, 526 preservice teachers were recruited from four colleges of education. Although the teachers were ambivalent regarding the success of OL, significant differences were found between the following demographics: gender, specialization, marital status, the preferred mode of learning, and the place of residence. Moreover, the study discussed the need for intensive information and communications technology education among preservice teachers, particularly women, developing their confidence in computer skills, and other recommendations

The Reliability of Using Vitek 2 Compact System to Detect Extended-Spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Isolates in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Accra, Ghana

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases that are capable of hydrolysing ?-lactams except carbapenems and cephamycins. The global increased prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria creates an urgent need for laboratory diagnostic methods that will accurately and rapidly identify the presence of ESBL phenotypes in clinical isolates. The Vitek 2 System (bioMérieux, France) is a rapid automated microbiological system used for bacteria and yeast identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), resistance mechanism detection and epidemiologic trending and reporting using its advanced expert system. This present work sought to determine the reliability of routinely using Vitek 2 System to accurately and rapidly detect ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae in Accra. The ESBL phenotypes for 400 E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were determined using the Vitek 2 system and combined disc synergy method. The results were used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of the Vitek 2 ESBL test through comparative analysis with the combined disk synergy method which is the reference method recommended by CLSI. The findings of this work indicated that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Vitek 2 system was 98.5%, 98.9%, 99% and 98.5% respectively. Consequently, Vitek 2 system is a reliable semi-automated microbiology system which may be used for routine, accurate and rapid detection of ESBL strains in health facilities in Accra, Ghana. Keywords: Vitek 2 Compact System, Extended spectrum beta-lactamase, bioMérieux, E. coli and K.  pneumoni

Phenotypic Characterization of AmpC beta-lactamase among Cefoxitin Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates in Accra, Ghana

AmpC ?-lactamases hydrolyze penicillins, cephalosporins and cephamycins and resist inhibition by clavulanate, sulbactam, and tazobactam. Strains with AmpC genes are inherently resistant to multiple agents, making the selection of an effective antibiotic difficult. This present work sought to investigate the occurrence of AmpC beta-lactamases-producing phenotypes in E. coli and K. pneumoniae and their antimicrobial sensitivity profile. Four hundred K. pneumoniae and E. coli non-duplicate isolates were collected and their antibiotic sensitivity testing for cefoxitin and other 16 antibiotics were determined using Vitek 2 Compact System (bioMérieux, Marcy I’Etoile, France).  The isolates resistant to cefoxitin were confirmed as AmpC beta-lactamases-producing phenotypes with disk synergy testing (DST) using cefotaxime or ceftazidime with or without boronic acid. An increase in zone diameter of ?5mm in the presence of boronic acid indicates the presence of AmpC beta-lactamases in the test organism. The results showed that of the 50 cefoxitin resistant isolates screened from 400 bacterial isolates, 5(10%) were AmpC beta-lactamase-producers with 60%, 60%, 60%, 80% and 100% multiply antibiotic resistance in gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline respectively. Nitrofurantoin which indicated 100% susceptibility with MIC90 of 32µg/ml may be a therapeutic option especially for non-life-threatening urinary tract infection. Imipenem was the antibiotic of choice with 100% susceptibility rates (MIC90 of ?1µg/ml). Though the insignificant (p>0.05) levels of AmpC beta-lactamase phenotypes may not require routine detection in health facilities, there is the need to implement evolutionary antibiotic administration policies and pragmatic infection control measures in the hospitals.      Keywords: AmpC beta-lactamase, Cefoxitin, ?-lactams, E. coli, K. pneumonia

Impact of Board Characteristics on Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure in Ghana

This study examines the impact of board characteristics on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure in Ghana. It uses panel data covering 15 financial years which was extracted from the companies’ annual report to test the hypothesis using OLS regression. The results provide evidence that board characteristics such as size, board independence, board members below age 40, foreign nationals on board and gender diversity has a positive and significant impact on the CSR disclosure in Ghana. Board size recorded a negative and significant impact on CSR disclosure while women as board chairperson recorded no significant impact on CSR disclosure. In terms of structural break, the results indicate that, there is no structural break at 1% and 5%. However, at 10%, there is structural break. Based on these findings, the study recommends that, board size should be made up of minimum of 5 and maximum of 9. Again, there should be gender diversity, more independent directors, foreign nationals and younger board members below age 40 to ensure effectiveness and full disclosure of CSR in listed companies in Ghana

Phenotypic Determination and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamases in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Accra, Ghana

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are plasmid-mediated beta lactamases commonly found in the Enterobacteriaceae that are capable of hydrolysing ?-lactams except carbapenems and cephamycins. ESBLs confer resistance to several non-ß-lactam antibiotics. ESBL-producing organisms appear susceptible to cephalosporins in vitro using conventional breakpoints but ineffective in vivo. This work sought to determine the occurrence of ESBL in E. coli and K. pneumoniae and their antibiotic resistance profile. Four hundred K. pneumoniae and E. coli non-duplicate isolates were collected at the Central Laboratory of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Advent Clinical Laboratories. They were definitively identified and their minimum inhibition concentration and antibiotic sensitivity testing for 17 antibiotics were determined using Vitek 2 Compact System (bioMérieux, Marcy I’Etoile, France).  The isolates were confirmed as ESBL-producing strains using the Combination Disk Synergy Method. The results indicated that 202 (50.5%) of the bacterial isolates were ESBL-producing phenotypes with high resistant to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole indicating 82.2%, 79.7%, 70.8% and 97% resistant rates respectively. imipenem and amikacin were the antibiotics of choice with 99% and 94.1% susceptibility rates (MIC90 of ?1µg/ml and 4µg/ml respectively). It is imperative to routinely detect ESBL-phenotypes in health facilities, implement appropriate antibiotic administration policy and infection control measures in the hospitals.   Keywords: Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase, Antimicrobial Resistance, ?-lactams, K. pneumoniae, E. col

Revealing texts: a postcolonial reading of 1 Samuel 8-15 as ancient Israel's claim to independence

This thesis presents postcolonial theory and the use of analogy as an effective critical apparatus for resolving some of the problems pertaining to the rise of kingship and nation in ancient Israel where both historical criticism and literary criticism appear to miss the inherent postcolonial dimensions ofthe texts. In particular, the thesis argues that by using postcolonial theory and criticism to read 1 Samuel 8-15 the narrative reveals the story of ancient Israel's rise to political independence and nation status amongst the nations of the ancient Near East. This is not made explicit in the existing scholarship. The study uses aspects of the processes by which the people of modern Ghana became a nation with political independence to illuminate the realities of the complex relationships between ancient Israelites and the Philistines in the Hebrew Bible that engendered the demand for a king in order to be like all the nations and to re-evaluate the reign of Saul which emerged from that situation. The strength of this approach is that some of the peculiarities of Saul's reign turn out to have unexpected parallels in the career of Nkrumah. Therefore, just as postcolonial theory can explain some of the ambivalences and tensions that surround Ghana's struggle for independence, so too, by analogy, it can help to explain a series of seeming problems and inconsistencies in the story of ancient Israel.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The Determinants of the Term Premium in the Term Structure of Interest Rates

In support of the recent U.S evidence, the Garch methodology reveals in two fold that, the term premium is time varying and the conditional variances of the yield spread, money supply and the exchange rate determines the term premium implicit in the U.S. economy. However the impact of the conditional variance of industrial production index as a determinant of the term premium is felt only for longer maturity bonds. Keywords: Term Premium, Yield Spread, Money Supply, Exchange Rate, Industrial Production Index