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- ItemCommunity participation in project preparation and management in the Upper West Region.(2010-07-12) Aalangdong, Edmund NibeneeOver the last two decades Ghana and many other Sub-Saharan countries have undergone several economic restructuring through the assistance of the International Monitory Fund, World Bank and other international bodies. Most of these assistance have come in the form of aids, projects and financial assistance, all aimed at reducing the poverty among its people. The Upper West Region of Ghana, which is currently the poorest Region with 9 out of every 10 of its people being poor, is no doubt one of the major beneficiaries of donor assistance and government supported projects and the two study areas, Sissala East and Wa municipality, have experienced their fare share of such projects. The six selected communities: Kassanpouri, Sentie, Tumu, Bugubelle, Bamahu and Nakori are active areas of development interventions in the Region as a result of endemic poverty found in these areas. The study therefore tried to do an analysis of community participation in project preparation and management among these projects in these communities to ascertain the impact of these projects and to determine the level of community involvement in the implementation of the projects under study (EU micro project- donor project, Village Loans and Savings Association- NGO project and Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty- Government project). The categorization of these projects into Government projects, donor projects and NGO projects is to help ascertain among these projects, the one that involves much more community participation in its operations. Data collected from both secondary and primary source from six purposively selected rural communities in the Upper West Region were analysed and some of the major findings include: Government Supported Projects, LEAP in Sentie and Kassanpouri • The study revealed that the government supported projects (LEAP) was totally an initiative government brought down to the beneficiary communities. The communities were only in support of it since they felt it was free money that would bring them some relief. Donor Supported Project, EU micro project in Tumu and Bugubelle Relatively the donor supported projects offered more beneficiary involvement in the projects’ activities. • The study revealed that the EU project was conceived and initiated by the government in collaboration with the donors. The projects (a three unit classroom block and a CHPs compound) at the community level were however initiated by the community members themselves through community animations conducted by the Project District Coordinator. It is worth noting that even though the communities did not initiate the projects at the national level, the facilitating agencies (Sissala East District Assembly and project coordinator), through participatory methods were able to facilitate the communities into accepting and owning the projects. NGO Supported Projects, Village Loans and Savings Association (VLSA) in Bamahu and Sentie • The study revealed that the project was an initiative of Plan Ghana and Care International with support from Barclays UK with the aim of inculcating in people the habit of savings culture. The communities were in support of it since they knew it was for their own benefit. Re-Orientation of the Governmental Implementing Agencies, the need for a policy dialogue between donors and recipient governments on the need for beneficiary participation at all stages of the project cycle and the involvement of beneficiary communities in procurement processes to ensure transparency are among some of the recommendations proposed in the study. It is anticipated that the implementation of the proposed recommendations in this study would help ensure adequate community participation in project preparation and management.
- ItemSustainable Building Construction in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies of the Central Region of Ghana(NOVEMBER 2015) Gyesi-Mensah, Mark NanaBuilding construction plays a vital role in the economic, social and infrastructural development of a nation. Activities of building construction has however been characterized with immense contribution to air, water and land pollution and hence has great impact on the environment. There is rising global need to preserve the depleting environment which demands the activities of building construction to adopt sustainable principles to contribute to continuous human development for the current generation and the future as well. It was in line with this global need that this research was undertaken with the aim of promoting the construction of sustainable buildings by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Central Region of Ghana. The objectives were to assess the construction of buildings by the MMDAs, identify challenges to the construction of sustainable buildings by the MMDAs and identify strategies for promoting the construction of sustainable buildings by the MMDAs. A survey was conducted using questionnaires to collect data from selected staffs of the MMDAs. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Relative Importance Index (RII). An average mean score of 2.7 revealed the lack of sustainability in the buildings constructed by the MMDAs. The study also identified the lack of financial resources, ignorance or misunderstanding about sustainability, fear of higher initial cost of sustainable buildings, restrictions posed by public procurement regulations and lack of demand for sustainable buildings as the major challenges to the construction of sustainable buildings by MMDAs. The study further found that the construction of sustainable buildings can be promoted by the introduction of financial incentives to MMDAs that achieve sustainable targets. In addition, there is the need to revise contract conditions and contract specifications as well as educate public officials to understand the need and benefit of sustainable construction.
- ItemExamining the emerging career trajectories in quantity surveying in Ghana(November, 2015.) Nortey, EmmanuelThe Quantity surveying career has been revitalized during the last few years since developing demands for building and variations in the business and the building procedure bid both trials and chances. In Ghana, the profession has reacted to the increasing demands of clients and the public with the emergence of new career trajectories to enable the profession be more valuable in offering extended services. This study therefore purports to examine the emerging career trajectories in the Ghanaian Quantity Surveying Profession with the view to establishing the different aspects of these career trajectories within the Ghanaian profession, also to determine the level of adaptation within the construction industry and its effects on the professional and lastly the challenges associated with its emergence. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used in tandem. Using a triangulation of survey, interviews and observations and a simple random sampling technique, data was collected from 75 professionals who have had considerable experience in the field of quantity surveying. The study revealed among others that there are emerging career trajectories such as investment appraisal, procurement services, whole life costing, risk management, value management, facility management, project management, environmental services and costing, technical auditing, sustainability advisors and sub contract administration. Although these emerging career trajectories have been adapted within the construction industry there are however shortages of competencies in some areas such as investment appraisal, environmental services and costing and sustainability advisors. The effect of these services has had positive impressions on the profession as professionals have become more valuable and competent in the rendering of services. However, there are challenges associated with such career paths such as the role of leadership and the competency level of the professional within these emerging trajectories. Informed recommendations such as strategy partnership with countries that has developed these emerging trends, training and iii i development in areas of low competencies level i.e sustainability advisors, environmental services and cost and investment appraisal are encouraged. The profession should also be customer focus since the client satisfaction is the ultimate aim in our service.
- ItemAssessing corporate governance practices in selected microfinance institutions in Ghana(September, 2015) Yankah, Nana Kojo EnyanMicrofinance institutions (MFIs) are playing an increasing role in the delivery of financial services to SMEs in Ghana. They have proven to be a powerful tool for promoting inclusive economic growth and employment generation. However, events such as huge financial scams by Onward Investment Limited in 2012, the PYRAM case and the seemingly bankruptcy of Noble Dreams Financial Services have raised many questions about trust, credibility and governance issues in the financial sector. This study therefore sought to assess governance practices in some selected Microfinance institutions in the Ashanti Region. The research was descriptive in nature. It combined both quantitative and qualitative approaches in the data analysis. The population comprises 170 “Tier 2” Microfinance Institutions operating in the Ashanti region out of which a sample of 4 institutions with a total of 116 respondents were chosen using convenience sampling technique. The main data sources included both primary and secondary. At the end, the study found some conflict of interest situations resulting from the fact that majority of CEO’s in the selected MFIs doubled as chairs of their board. Again the study found that many Microfinance institutions in the Ashanti Region did not have structured policies for reviewing CEOs compensations and performance. Reducing owner concentration was also identified as the most important variable in improving governance practices within MFIs. To address the challenges enumerated, the researcher recommends that MFIs review the role and contribution of non-executive directors to ensure that all directors have a sound understanding of the company’s operations. It is also important to ensure that directors have access to all the information required to function effectively. Auditing of financial statements must be tightened to meet the agreed International Accounting Standards.