University of Cape Coast Journals
Not a member yet
449 research outputs found
Sort by
The concept of informed consent in healthcare delivery in Ghana: a rhetoric or reality?
Get PDFThis paper examines the doctrine of informed consent within the Ghanaian healthcare system, interrogating the significant disconnect between its progressive enactment and the practical realities of its implementation. The claim made in the paper is that the complex legal doctrine of informed consent, when transplanted into Ghana’s healthcare system, reflects modern patient-centric standards from advanced jurisdictions, yet remains largely theoretical in Ghana. This shortfall is evidenced by a complete absence of judicial precedents and direct jurisprudence on informed consent, amid persistent systemic and socio–cultural barriers. Using a doctrinal research methodology coupled with a socio-legal contextual analysis, this paper analyses primary and secondary legal sources to establish the challenges encountered in implementing the doctrine of informed consent. Although informed consent, as outlined in Ghanaian law, reflects the context in which it has been used and applied in advanced countries, systemic challenges, evidenced by recent data on literacy rates and inadequate doctor-to-patient ratios, are identified as hurdles that render the practical application of the doctrine of informed consent largely aspirational. Ghana’s doctor-to-patient ratio falls below the World Health Organisation recommended ratio of 1:1,320. The paper concludes that for informed consent to transition from rhetoric to reality in Ghana, a modified framework of contextualised informed consent is required. This paper proposes measures such as the development of standardised consent protocols for low-literacy populations, the formulation of official guidelines for navigating familial involvement in decision-making, and the introduction of comprehensive language policies in the training of health professionals and medical interpreters
Inclusive Innovation for Urban Justice: A Framework for Participatory Social Entrepreneurship
Get PDFIn the recent two decades, Cities face challenges of inequality, exclusion, and uneven development. As an answer to this, an urgent need to rethink how innovation and entrepreneurship can advance justice and inclusion emerged. This paper examines the role of inclusive innovation in shaping socially grounded forms of urban entrepreneurship that could respond to these pressing issues. We did a systematic literature review and conceptual synthesis, and we explored the emerging intersections between inclusive innovation and urban social entrepreneurship. So, from this analysis, we introduce the Urban Inclusive Social Entrepreneurship UISE Framework, which integrates four interrelated layers: Foundational Infrastructure, Social Drivers and Stakeholders, Participatory Processes, and Inclusive Outcomes. We, in the UISE framework, focus on collaboration among local governments, universities, civil society organizations, and communities. Conceptually, we reframe inclusive innovation as a structural and ethical foundation for urban transformation. Practically, we provide policymakers, urban planners, and local entrepreneurs with a roadmap for fostering more just and inclusive cities through participatory and collaborative approaches
Effect of Financial Exclusion on Consumption Inequality across Settlement and Employment Types in an Emerging Economy
Get PDFIn the quest to reduce inequality in its various forms, researchers, policymakers, and industry players have embarked on efforts to uncover empirical evidence that could inform policy-driven recommendations. However, few studies have analysed how financial exclusion may influence consumption inequality. This study employed the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method to model the relationship between financial exclusion and consumption inequality using the 7th wave of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS7). Financial exclusion significantly contributes to consumption inequality, with notable variations across different employment types and settlement areas. Non-digital and digital financial exclusion have a more pronounced influence on consumption inequality in rural areas than in urban areas. Additionally, households led by public sector workers and the unemployed experienced greater levels of consumption inequality due to financial exclusion, compared to those led by self-employed or privately employed individuals. This study highlights the role of financial inclusion in addressing consumption inequality and stresses the importance of reducing both digital and non-digital financial exclusion to create a more equitable society. To this end, the study recommends that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) implement financial literacy programmes in local languages, particularly targeting rural areas. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on the employment sector of household heads and its examination of both digital and non-digital financial exclusion, providing a unique perspective on how these forms of exclusion affect consumption inequality across varied demographics
Psychological Contract Breach, Organisational Identification and Employee Performance: Mediating Role of Prosocial Organisational Behaviour
Get PDFThis study draws on psychological contract and social exchange theories to examine how prosocial organisational behaviour mediates the impact of psychological contract breach (PCB) on employee performance within the hospitality sector in Accra Metropolis, Ghana. A quantitative research approach was adopted, utilising a survey design to collect data from a sample of 84 hotel employees. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) with SmartPLS software to test the proposed research model. The findings indicate that prosocial behaviour significantly enhances employee performance, while psychological contract breach has a negative but non-significant effect on performance. Additionally, prosocial behaviour partially mediates the positive relationship between organisational identification and employee performance among hotel employees in Ghana. The study recommends that hotel management in Ghana should focus on promoting organisational identification by fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace culture. These measures can contribute to creating a supportive work environment that enhances employee performance
Connectedness of AI and Islamic stocks: Evidence from frequency-domain quantile regressions
Get PDFThis study explores the dynamic relationship between artificial intelligence (AI)-based stocks and Islamic stock indices. Motivated by the rising prominence of AI in global finance and the ethical appeal of Islamic investing, the study investigates whether AI stocks offer hedging, diversification, or safe haven potential relative to Islamic assets. Daily data from January 1, 2019, to April 13, 2024, is employed, covering the NASDAQ CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index (as the proxy for AI stocks), along with the Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index, United States and Canada. Using the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) with Quantile Regression techniques, the analysis captures the asymmetric relationships across different investment horizons and market states. The results reveal that AI stocks generally move in tandem with Islamic stock indices during stable and bullish markets, offering limited diversification benefits. However, in bearish markets, particularly over the long term, AI stocks exhibit a negative relationship with the global and U.S. Islamic indices, indicating potential safe haven or hedging roles. No such hedging benefit is observed concerning the Canadian Islamic index. Additionally, Islamic indices do not serve as effective hedges for AI stocks across any market regime. These results offer detailed insights into the asymmetric co-movement patterns between AI-related stocks and Islamic equities. It offers practical implications for ethical and tech-focused investors, suggesting that AI stocks may enhance portfolio resilience under specific market conditions. Policymakers and financial product designers can also leverage these insights to integrate emerging technologies into Shariah-compliant investment strategies better
COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT SCHEME AS A TOOL FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThere are two major challenges to doing business in Nigeria: lack of capital and managerial expertise. With the large population of Nigeria, and by implication, the size of her market, Collective Investment Scheme (CIS), as regulated under the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007, provides the necessary platform to overcome the two challenges above. Where the two challenges are overcome, the CIS can be a tool for economic inclusion and development in Nigeria. This study, therefore, examines the Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) in Nigeria, a business package aimed at economic inclusion and development. CIS, regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, offers three types of schemes with potential benefits for investors and addressing housing deficits. The CIS is a vital tool for economic inclusion and development of Nigeria. Its domicile in the Nigerian Capital Market (NCM) is to ensure its success as the funds are only invested in securities of choice for profits. The regulatory expertise and wide powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the regulation of CIS are for the success and sustenance of the scheme via systemic scrutiny of the CIS managers and their operations. However, a comparison with Mauritius reveals some shortcomings. The doctrinal research method is adopted in this study. This doctrinal research adopts a comparative analysis to identify areas for improvement. The study finds that while CIS has advantages, it also has demerits. Recommendations are proffered to enhance the Nigerian CIS scheme, including addressing regulatory gaps and improving investor benefits
Ghanaian Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs\u27) Readiness for African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation
Get PDFThis paper seeks to assess Ghanaian Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs\u27) readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation. The research instrument used to collect data was questionnaires and the study employed descriptive research design. The study randomly selected 250 SMEs from a population of 480 SMEs that were registered members of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cape Coast Branch and operating within manufacturing, pharmaceutical, herbal, tourism, hospitality, food and beverage, agribusiness, garment, leather, and textiles. Data collected from the SMEs was analysed using SPSS, version 28. The findings from the study shows that, there is a significant gap between Ghanaian SMEs\u27 readiness for AfCFTA implementation. The study finds out that although majority of SMEs are capable of innovation and developing new products, they also have limited knowledge of export documentation, trade information and infrastructure, trade finance, and funding for expansion. They also have low knowledge and lack a basic understanding of the benefits of AfCFTA, its advantages, components, protocols, and Rules of Origin. The study again revealed that the obstacles facing Ghanaian SMEs exportation are high cost of production, border delays, poor infrastructure, high inflation, difficulty in accessing credit, and language problems. Based on these findings, the study recommended that SMEs needs to be retooled particularly in the area of AfCFTA Rules of Origin, its objectives, components, and Ghana’s trade policy to improve their readiness for AfCFTA implementation. Again, businesses should concentrate more on value addition, and be dedicated to looking for ways to enhance their current or existing products to outperform comparable products from other African nations
Impact of Sea Erosion on Sustainable Coastal Tourism Development in Ghana. The Case of Saltpond Beach Resorts.
Get PDFSea erosion forms one of the major negative impacts of climate change on sustainable coastal tourism development worldwide. Generally, this negative impact is more pronounced in developing countries where available beach resorts are struggling to persist.
Principally, the challenge of operating a successful coastal beach resort in Ghana is aggravated by unexpected destruction of beach resort facilities by sea erosion that leave some affected facilities unsafe for public use (e.g. Saltpond @ the Beach resort along Saltpond coast).
Based on the experiences of Saltpond beach resorts, the study analysed the impact of sea erosion on sustainable urban coastal tourism development in Ghana. Mainly, the study found that climate change and human induced factors contribute to the persistent sea erosion along the coast of Saltpond. Finally, the study recommended the implementation of three principal sea erosion mitigation strategies; Integrated Coastal Development Planning, Building of Sea Defence Wall, and Combined Mitigation Measures
HARNESSING THE BENEFITS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION SCHEMES IN ECOWAS: THE PLACE OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Get PDFThe ECOWAS integration schemes envisaged that the place of individuals will require an in-depth consideration of the role individuals play, both as beneficiaries of integration (particularly as it relates to trade liberalisation, free movement, residence and establishment) and also, as potential victims of the rough side of integration, which will necessarily require the examination of how individuals may enforce their rights under the integrative instruments. Although several attempts at creating effective regional integrative arrangements in ECOWAS have been made, it is disheartening to state that economic activities involving individuals within the ECOWAS sub-region remain at its lowest ebb. This study reiterates that despite the efforts made to ensure that the ECOWAS integration agenda is realisable, it is in doubt whether citizens of the Community have actually felt free to move in, live and establish in any part of the sub-region of their choice without any attack either on their persons or their investments. This study reveals that attacks on foreigners and their businesses in the ECOWAS region have become legendary and remain a hindrance to the realisation of the ECOWAS objectives envisaged in its legal instruments. In view of the above, this study therefore, recommends that until these identifiable challenges are curtailed, member States may lean towards adopting a protectionist approach to its economic and citizenry affairs and thus, may not be favourably disposed to ensuring full implementation of the ECOWAS Protocols on the right of movement, residence and establishment
Customer relationship management practices and client’s satisfaction: Lessons from Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)
Get PDFThe study sought to examine the role of gender in the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM) practices and clients’ satisfaction by drawing evidence from Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This study used the explanatory correlational research design and gathered data from 271 clients of the NHIS. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was adopted to test the research hypotheses. The results revealed that the CRM practices, i.e., communication, conflict handling and commitment except trust, had a significant positive relationship with clients’ satisfaction. The findings again established that gender does not moderate the link between CRM practices and clients’ satisfaction. The current study presents useful findings, which can be utilised by managers towards the development and implementation of the CRM practices that will lead to client satisfaction. Considering that client satisfaction is commonly cited in the literature as a prerequisite for gaining customer loyalty, the results of the study are essential for the advancement of profitable relationships with clients. The findings have called for some reflections on the factors that account for client satisfaction for the services of the NHIS in Ghana. The study also helps to deepen understanding of the role gender plays in CRM practices and clients’ satisfaction link in the NHIS of Ghana