The concept of SIC in the banking circle specifically in Ghana and generally in Africa has raised concerns for research because it concerns the management of the processes of communication strategies to achieve communication goals. Previously, the banking reports of Ghana required that the stakeholders of industries be well-informed using the comprehensive communication plan; however, it appears that different trends of communication strategies have been adopted recently. To this end, this study explored 3 banks operating in Accra to determine their strategic integrated communication practices with stakeholders. Using the Media Richness Theory and the Two-Way Symmetrical Model of Communication, the study analysed data obtained through in-depth interviews from staff of the banks and some documents accessed from the banks. The findings indicated that the banks need to review strategies for client satisfaction and loyalty as an output of strategically integrating communication efforts. The study concludes that bank interactivity must be conducted strategically and efficiently to achieve the best communication results. / Communication Science / Ph. D.

It is impossible to understand the gendered relation between women and public space without taking into account its other, that is, male engagements with and in space. Our joint paper contrasts the public spaces of a market and a bus station in central Accra, Ghana. While the former is historically associated with female entrepreneurship, masculinity is deeply inscribed in the activities defining the latter. However, recent developments gradually undermine this gendered divide. Evermore men enter into the predominantly female occupation of market trade. Simultaneously, the public space of the bus station, complementary to many of the market’s economic activities and to its gendered significations, is increasingly shaped by intensive negotiations between male station personnel and ‘intruding’ female entrepreneurs over the scarce resource ‘space’. By focusing on interpersonal claims to entrepreneurial places in these two locations, we contest that structural determinants such as trade liberalization and employment strictures sufficiently explain the complex renegotiation of gendered entitlements to space. We illustrate how the configurations (and co-constructions) of gender and space are exposed to on-going, often subtle shifts, which are impelled by dialectically grounded transformations of quotidian spatial practices and social relations. Expanding upon the notion of viri-/uxorilocality, we explore shifts in the gendered strategies of newcomers establishing their presence in the two spaces and the extent to which these practices may alter gendered spatial significations.

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Budgeting in Ghana, not unlike that in any other country in the world, could be an important instrument for effecting economic development (ED) policies. As a numerical expression of the intended distribution of national public resources, it is a multifaceted phenomenon that reflects political and administrative decision making. Much evidence in the Third-World literature on budgeting and ED asserts that ED policies can be most effectively implemented when there is a systematic interrelation and coordination between budgeting and ED policies. The position taken in this dissertation goes beyond that assertion. Specifically, this dissertation posits, in addition to the systematic interrelationship and coordination between budgeting and ED policies, that ED policies should be systematically integrated with development administration and human-resource development. The dissertation evaluates Ghana's budgetary practices and policies as they affect the country's ED programs. Because these practices and policies are not systematically coordinated and integrated with ED policies, the study highlights and examines the dilemmas facing those who attempt to stimulate effective ED in Ghana, and it recommends changes. / Ph. D.

The primary purpose of this thesis is to discuss the protectionist policy of the first Republic of Ghana (1957-66). In particular it attempts to evaluate the performance of the key sectors of the economy under the policy using empirical and statistical data for the period and shortly thereafter. Such discussion is of paramount importance since it provides an insight into what future developmental and growth strategy needs to be adopted for Ghana. While avoiding the social, political and ideological discussions of the policy, the thesis provides an insight into the political atmosphere at the time and the ideological inclinations of the Leaders. The thesis begins by looking at the salient features of the economy of Ghana before independence. It then gives a brief background of protectionism in Ghana and the philosophy that led to its adoption. How the policy was implemented is also discussed. A theoretical background of the effects of protection and a sector by sector analysis and evaluation of the effects of protectionism in Ghana forms the substance of the thesis. While the focus of the discussion is on the first government of Ghana and its protectionist policy, an attempt is made to look at subsequent governments and their deviation, if any, from protectionism. An assessment of the policy arrived at the conclusion that while the leaders had been nationalistic about the policy, their adoption and implementation of the policy was nothing less than an economic blunder. / M.A.

The purpose of this study was to describe the factors contributing to high default of DOTS implementation in the Kwaebibrim district of Ghana. A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted to determine personal, health service, community and treatment factors contributing to high default of DOTS implementation in the district. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling was done. The sample comprised of one hundred and thirty TB patients who were on DOTS implementation at the district chest clinic. The study highlighted TB patients’ knowledge about TB, socio-economic characteristics, organisation of care as well as community perceptions about the disease. The findings revealed that default to treatment is a complex behavioural issue involving multiple factors, an interaction of personal, social and health care factors as well as side effects of medication and duration of treatment. It is therefore recommended that interventions to prevent default of DOTS implementation should be designed with these factors in mind.

This study explores the interactive process between decentralized structures and traditional authorities in Wenchi district, with a view to generating lessons and insights that can guide the recommendation of a more appropriate decentralization framework to tap the strengths of traditional authorities towards accelerated rural development. Within the framework of action research methodology, mixed-methods were used to triangulate findings and enhance research rigour. Specific methods employed were focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews (IDIs), and observation, complemented by context analyses of relevant documents. It was found that the interactive processes between traditional authorities and decentralized structures are characterized mainly by competition for power and legitimacy, leading to mistrust and an inability to take advantage of the synergy effect between the two systems of local governance in accomplishing accelerated rural development. Key recommendations are that traditional authorities should not be fused with the decentralized structures, but should remain as countervailing institutions to check the misuse of power by the decentralized structures. However, traditional authorities should be given the ceremonial role of the right to address meetings of the District Assembly and the Area Councils. Additionally, chiefs should be given the chance to nominate at least two people onto the Unit Committees. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

Based on widespread perceptions and short-term reports that most research masters and doctoral students at the University of Ghana spend unusually long durations to complete their studies due to their inability to complete and submit their theses on time and unduly long waiting periods for thesis results, the researcher decided to investigate these phenomena to identify the root causes. The aim of the study therefore, was to establish empirical basis for this problem and to recommend ways of strengthening postgraduate study delivery at the University of Ghana, based on input from past students, faculty, and the University‟s external publics who have a stake in promoting postgraduate studies and research. To achieve this aim, the researcher set out the framework within which the study should be conducted in Chapter One, and reviewed literature on the theories and concepts of throughput and student throughput in particular as well as global student throughput trends and postgraduate candidature models in Chapter Two. To fully appreciate the delivery of postgraduate studies and throughput trends at the study institution, Chapter Three was devoted to the review of the University of Ghana‟s postgraduate study delivery system, and its enrolment and output statistics compared with similar trends in other African Universities. The research design was explained in Chapter Four, and, guided to adopt the mixed methods approach because of its efficacy in rendering research findings credible and reliable, a number of past masters and doctoral students who extended their candidatures while at the University of Ghana provided data by completing questionnaires. Thesis supervisors and examiners selected on the basis of experience also provided data by completing questionnaire, heads of departments, past deans and thesis schedule officers and the Ghana Education Trust Fund Secretariat provided information through interviews. To further unravel specific cases of the phenomenon, which might not be obtained by means of questionnaire and interviews, relevant information were extracted from selected case files that typify cases of delayed candidature and non-completions. In Chapter Five, Quantitative data were analyzed statistically, qualitative data were analyzed using the open coding method, and documentary data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings and recommendations from the study were reported in Chapter Six. The findings confirmed the perceptions and reports and the major factors responsible for delayed completion and non-completion, including other unpopular factors were identified and discussed. Recommendations were made to address the findings, with particular reference to the role of each stakeholder in strengthening postgraduate study delivery to ensure high throughput at the University of Ghana. In the end, three models were developed for improving candidature durations for masters and doctoral candidates, and for ensuring timely examination of theses. The researcher hopes that, if implemented, the recommendations would help to improve postgraduate study delivery and throughput at the University of Ghana. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim is to explore how community participation can situate beneficiaries to discover and commit to what they need for the future in northern Ghana. The methodology used was observational, descriptive, qualitative and quantitative, cross-sectional and longitudinal survey. A convenient sampling method was used for the community and district selection process. Respondents were randomly selected to ensure equal opportunity for all those available at the time of the interview. Eight communities were used from the three regions of northern Ghana in which community-based pro-poor interventions by interventionists have either completed or are still in process. The participatory, reflective and participatory rural appraisal, techniques were used in the data gathering. The results show that 57% males and 43% females participated in the study. The study shows that 95.2% respondents from Northern region, 93.3%, from Upper West region and 88.7% from Upper East region participated more in NGO than government led activities. There were five main findings of the research. First, 61% of respondents give high priority to farm credit, boreholes/wells and dams. Respondents claim to gain maximum benefit from these interventions more. Second, 92.4% of respondents from the eight communities participate more in activities organised by NGOs for personal gain and motivation. Third, 53% of all target respondents participated actively at the implementation stage of the participation process. Fourth, there is low investment in the area of school, road and dam projects in the study communities. Only two of the eight communities benefited from a school or road project, and three out of eight communities benefited from dam projects. Fifth, 57% males against 43% females participate in pro-poor intervention activities in the eight communities. As a contribution to knowledge, the thesis shows community members in northern Ghana participate in activities when there is immediate motivation (either in cash or kind) or when projects border more on their main occupational areas. The thesis recommends that Government facilitates community members to demand the right to take active part in the participatory process in all pro-poor interventions in their communities. / Development Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)

The growing interest in gender issues and female employment has generated a number of studies and the library and information profession has not been excluded from this interest in promoting female equity in employment. This study investigates the career patterns of female librarians in six public university libraries in Ghana in order to establish the enhancers and inhibitors they experience in their career progression. The study adopted the multi-method approach, which entailed the use of two self-administered questionnaires for 128 professional and paraprofessional library staff respectively, which formed one group of the population studied and a semi-structured interview schedule developed for three female University library Heads, who formed the second group of the study population to address research questions in this study. Each of the professional and paraprofessional librarians completed the questionnaire on their own and their responses were then used to form essential components of one research project. Quantitative data gathered was analysed to report on descriptive characteristics of respondents, while qualitative data, from open ended questions, in the questionnaires, and responses from interviews with the female University Library Heads were analysed using the narrative analysis technique to present profile of respondents and their career histories. The findings reveal females in the study were unable to meet requirements for promotion in their various public university libraries, which has resulted in very slow progress in their careers and even in some cases stagnated careers. The few successful female librarians who made it to top positions did so relatively late in their careers. The study established that societal expectations of females, age, family responsibilities-career conflict, failure to publish, not being able to pursue higher academic programmes, inability to participate in professional enhancement and professional activities are some inhibitors to the progress of female librarians. The study concludes by recommending that the pioneer female University Librarians should serve as role models and mentors to colleague female librarians, and that there should be career development support, for females, from the Ghana Library Association and African Library and Information Association to help overcome barriers to advancement in university libraries. / Information Science / D.Litt. et. Phil (Information Science) / 020.82