Vol 10.2 October 2012 ISSN 0855-9163
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Articles in this Issue
Commitment of Professional Teachers in Ghana: The Case of the Volta Region
Ben Q. Honyenugah Priscilla C. Affram, Paulina N. Adzoyi
Abstract
The study examines commitment of professional teachers in Ghana using the Volta Region as a case study. Specifically, the study examines what stimulates and sustains teacher commitment to the teaching profession and the extent to which Basic School Teachers are committed to the teaching profession. The study adopted a quantitative approach using a validated questionnaire developed by (Blau, 1989). The questionnaire was administered to 600 professional teachers in Public Basic Schools in all the 15 districts in the Volta Region at the time. The statistical tools used for the analysis and presentation were Factor analysis, Kruskal Walis Test and Wilconxon Test whilst SPSS was the main software used. In all, there were thirteen (13) variables of interest to the study. Six (6) of them described the personal profiles of respondents and seven (7), measured the level of professional commitment of teachers. The findings revealed that whilst 42.42 per cent of teachers appear to be committed to the teaching profession due to love for the profession and money; more than 50 per cent of the teachers were either not committed to the profession or were not sure of their commitment levels and may quit to other professions when the opportunity arises. The study therefore has implications for stakeholders in Basic School Education who are concerned with the poor performance of pupils in the Basic Education examinations in the Country.
Educational Policies Matter in Ghana’s Economic Development
Elizabeth N. Appiah, PhD
Abstract
This paper addresses the reasons why education policies matter in Ghana’s economy by comparing the policies in the fastest per capita growth countries on the Pacific Rim to Sub- Sahara African (SSA) countries. The Pacific Rim countries focused on economic development. To achieve that, a major policy was aggressively pursued at universal primary followed by universal secondary education, which they geared rightly to support the export-oriented industries. Economic growth strategy in Ghana has moved very slowly since independence resulting in little improvement in real per capita growth. That is in stark contract with Malaysia, the country that Ghana is compared with in this paper. Per capita GDP in Ghana in 1970 was $1,048 in constant 2005 U.S. dollars, about 65% of that of Malaysia. As at now, per capita GDP in Ghana is only 16% of that of Malaysia. Using microeconomic data for the countries in the Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), simulations for Ghana illustrate how a two-percentage point increase in the fraction of GDP spent on secondary education can have medium and long term impacts on per capita GDP. Other medium and long term impacts such as better health, reduction in infant mortality, lowering of poverty rates, and improved rural and national development could also be seen to move Ghana closer to that of Malaysia. Thus, this study demonstrates clearly that the interest recently shown by the various political parties in Ghana, in promoting free education up to secondary school level is a worthwhile proposition that the country should consider.
Micro Credit and Agriculture in Central Region: Evidence From Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira and Abura Asebu Kwamankese Districts
John-Engelbert Seddoh & Ferdinand Ahiakpor
Abstract
The role of agriculture in development remains much debated. This paper uses descriptive statistics to assess the impact of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) credit on agroprocessing farmers in the Central Region. Multiple- stage sampling was used to collect data on 40 oil palm-out-growers, farmers and agro-processors. The results suggest that whilst micro finance clearly may have had positive impacts on agriculture, it is unlikely to be a simple panacea for reaching the rural poor. Hence, there is the need to continually improve, design and outreach and to see Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) as part of the package for targeting the poor agricultural farmers, ratherthan the whole solution.
Modelling the Performance of Ghana Commercial Bank Limited Before and After Listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange
Prince Amoako Owusu & John Coker Ayimah
Abstract
The focus of this study is to carry out a performance of Ghana Commercial Bank before and after listing on the Ghana stock exchange. For the purpose of this study three categories of periods were considered. That is, 1991-1997, 1998-2004 and 2005-2010 were used to assess the performance of Ghana Commercial Bank on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The data for the research are measured in monetary units, with the exception of the number of employees. Findings of the study indicates that Ghana Commercial Bank was more liquid or had high market liquidity in the five years prior to its listing on the stock market, that is the period 1991 to 1997 and beyond- an indication that the bank had enough resources to pay its debts. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the bank has been deriving the best from its human resources over the years as shown by the strong inverse relationship between its total assets and the number of employees. It is recommended that GCB implements prudent management strategies and polices so as to increase shareholder wealth. Besides, shareholders should check consistently, the liquidity and profitability of the bank to ensure its sustained growth.