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The youth cannot be ignored in view of the vital roles they play in the socio-economic development of nations around the globe. Entrepreneurship education has been identified as one of the most innovative ways of arresting graduate unemployment around the globe. Youth unemployment has been on the increase in recent times partly due to traditional courses the youth pursue in most tertiary institutions in Ghana which have less linkage to the world of work. Youth unemployment policy features prominently on the national agenda of most developing countries, including Ghana. Consequently, many graduates rely on the government to provide them jobs after school. It is against this backdrop that entrepreneurship education has been introduced in most tertiary institutions in Ghana to equip students with the much needed innovations and entrepreneurial skills to set up businesses as a way of relieving the government from the provision of jobs to the throng of unemployed graduates. This paper evaluates the entrepreneurship education in the Polytechnics in Ghana and how it is structured to meet the aspiration of the students. The paper also investigates students' attitude towards the study of entrepreneurship. It also highlights students' capacities to establish their own businesses after graduation and how they could raise funds and promote stronger relationships with the business community. It is hoped that this would go a long way to unearthing challenges students encounter in the study of entrepreneurship as a course.

Background: Progress toward malaria elimination is increasing as many countries near zero indigenous malaria cases. In settings nearing elimination, interventions will be most effective at interrupting transmission when targeted at the residual foci of transmission. These foci may be missed due to asymptomatic infections. To solve this problem, the World Health Organization recommends reactive case detection (RACD). This case study was conducted to identify individuals with asymptomatic malaria, their predisposing risk factors and recommend RACD in Asutsuare, Ghana based on literature review and a cross sectional study. Methods: The study involved a search on PubMed and Google Scholar of literature published between 1st January, 2009–14th August, 2023 using the search terms "malaria" in "Asutsuare". Furthermore, structured questionnaires were administered to one hundred individuals without symptoms of malaria and screened using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR). Malaria prevalence based on the three diagnostic techniques as well as potential malaria risk factors were assessed through questionnaires in a cross-sectional study. Results: Cumulatively, sixty-four (64) studies (Google Scholar, 57 and PubMed, 7) were reviewed and 22 studies included in the literature on malaria in Asutsuare, Ghana. Significant risk factors were occupation, distance from a house to a waterbody, age group and educational level. Out of the 100 samples, 3 (3%) were positive by RDT, 6 (6%) by microscopy and 9 (9%) by rt-PCR. Ages 5–14.9 years had the highest mean malaria parasite densities of 560 parasites/µl with Plasmodium falciparum as the dominant species in 4 participants. Moreover, in the age group ≥ 15, 2 participants (1 each) harboured P. falciparum and Plasmodium malariae parasites. RDT had a higher sensitivity (76.54%; CI95 66.82–85.54) than rt-PCR (33.33%; CI95 4.33–77.72), while both rt-PCR and RDT were observed to have a higher specificity (92.55; CI95 85.26–96.95) and (97.30; CI95 93.87–99.13), respectively in the diagnosis of malaria. Conclusion: In Asutsuare, Ghana, a low endemic area, the elimination of malaria may require finding individuals with asymptomatic infections. Given the low prevalence of asymptomatic individuals identified in this study and as repleted in the literature review, which favours RACD, Asutsuare is a possible setting receptive for RACD implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In Ghana, Cymbopogon citratus leaves together with guava, pawpaw, and lime are processed into a decoction to treat fever. To encourage its usage, preclinical validation of the safety profile of the plant is required. The acute and subchronic toxicities of the conventional Soxhlet ethanolic Cymbopogon citratus leaves extract in Sprague–Dawley rats were investigated. Methods. Pulverized Cymbopogon citratus leaves were extracted with 98% ethanol using the conventional Soxhlet extraction (CSE) method and dried. In the acute toxicity study, a single dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight was administered to six female Sprague–Dawley rats and 1 ml/100 g body weight normal saline to control (6) once, and signs of toxicity were observed every hour for the first 12 hr, 24 hr, and 48 hr through to 14 days. In the subchronic study, the treatment groups were administered 200 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg, and 1200 mg/kg, respectively, of the CSE C. citratus leaves extract for six weeks. Analyses were conducted on the blood, urine, and serum samples of the rats. Histopathological examination of the liver, heart, kidney, spleen, and lungs was carried out at termination. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine statistically significant differences between the test and control rats at P < 0.05. Results. The results revealed that there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in the urinalysis and haematological analysis between control and test rats over the treatment period. Similarly, CSE C. citratus leaves extract did not induce any significant biochemical changes in the treatment group; however, there was a weight loss effect on the treated rats. There were no noticeable morphological changes in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney of the test rats compared to the control. Conclusion. CSE ethanolic C. citratus leaves extract has a weight loss effect, and long-term administration of the extract may not cause any organ-specific toxicity to the consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus (RVA) is a leading cause of childhood gastroenteritis. RVA vaccines have reduced the global disease burden; however, the emergence of intergenogroup reassortant strains is a growing concern. During surveillance in Ghana, we observed the emergence of G9P[4] RVA strains in the fourth year after RVA vaccine introduction. To investigate whether Ghanaian G9P[4] strains also exhibited the DS-1-like backbone, as seen in reassortant G1/G3/G8/G9 strains found in other countries in recent years, this study determined the whole genome sequences of fifteen G9P[4] and two G2P[4] RVA strains detected during 2015–2016. The results reveal that the Ghanaian G9P[4] strains exhibited a double-reassortant genotype, with G9-VP7 and E6-NSP4 genes on a DS-1-like backbone (G9-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E6-H2). Although they shared a common ancestor with G9P[4] DS-1-like strains from other countries, further intra-reassortment events were observed among the original G9P[4] and co-circulating strains in Ghana. In the post-vaccine era, there were significant changes in the distribution of RVA genotype constellations, with unique strains emerging, indicating an impact beyond natural cyclical fluctuations. However, reassortant strains may exhibit instability and have a limited duration of appearance. Current vaccines have shown efficacy against DS-1-like strains; however, ongoing surveillance in fully vaccinated children is crucial for addressing concerns about long-term effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The study sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of body adiposity index (BAI) and relative fat mass (RFM) to predict BIA-derived BFP among patients with type 2 diabetes in the Ho municipality. Materials and Method. This hospital-based cross-sectional study involved 236 patients with type 2 diabetes. Demographic data, including age and gender were obtained. Height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were measured using standard methods. BFP was estimated on a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) scale. The validity of BAI and RFM as alternative estimates for BIA-derived BFP was evaluated based on mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Passing-Bablok regression, Bland-Altman plots, receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC), and kappa statistics analyses. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. BAI showed systematic bias in estimating BIA-derived BFP in both genders, but this was not evident between RFM and BFP among females (t = − 0.62 ; p = 0.534). While BAI showed "good" predictive accuracy in both genders, RFM exhibited "high" predictive accuracy for BFP (MAPE: 7.13%; 95% CI: 6.27-8.78) among females according to MAPE analysis. From the Bland-Altman plot analysis, the mean difference between RFM and BFP was acceptable among females [0.3 (95% LOA: -10.9 to 11.5)], but both BAI and RFM recorded large limits of agreement and low Lin's concordance correlation coefficient with BFP (Pc < 0.90) in the two gender populations. The optimal cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index for RFM were >27.2, 75%, 93.75%, and 0.69, respectively, while those of BAI were >25.65, 80%, 84.37%, and 0.64, respectively, among males. Among females, the values for RFM were >27.26, 92.57%, 72.73%, and 0.65, whereas those of BAI were >29.4, 90.74%, 70.83%, and 0.62, respectively. The accuracy of discriminating between BFP levels was higher among females [BAI (AUC: 0.93) and RFM (AUC: 0.90)] compared to males [BAI (AUC: 0.86) and RFM (AUC: 0.88)]. Conclusion. RFM had a better predictive accuracy of BIA-derived BFP in females. However, both RFM and BAI failed as valid estimates for BFP. Furthermore, gender-specific performance in the discrimination of BFP levels for RFM and BAI was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the enormous expectant opportunities from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including creating a single continental market for goods and services, trade and investment, one key deterrent has remained fiercely unresolved due to failed trajectories with similar regional markets initiatives in the continent, and that is environmental uncertainty. To address this concern, this paper aims to develop a sustainability enabled-model to facilitate the adoption of AfCFTA under uncertain environment conditions to guide prospective investors and facilitators. Design/methodology/approach: This study is anchored on quantitative research approach and positivists' paradigm. Survey strategy has been used to collect data from 520 medium-sized firms across Ghana. Data analyses have been conducted with the using smart partial least squares version 3.3.3 analytical tool and structural equation modeling modality. Findings: The findings have showed that institutionalization, supply chain integration, supply chain resilience and innovativeness have positive effects on AfCFTA adoption under uncertainty. Moreover, AfCFTA adoption provides mechanisms through which to attain sustainable supply chain performance. Meanwhile, environmental uncertainty negatively influences AfCFTA adoption, and weakens the relationships between the adoption and sustainability performance. Originality/value: This paper has developed an integrated investment decision model to facilitate AfCFTA adoption under environmental uncertainty. It provides new insights into the African free market to guide policymakers, practitioners, academics and promoters of AfCFTA on sustainability initiatives that influence its adoption under uncertainty. Moreover, the new model, which serves as a strategic tool for decision-making, could be used to stimulate the ratification and the trade facilitation measures to build strong confidence in current and prospective investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although corporations have been propelled to adapt eco-innovation strategies including decent work practices, responsible consumption and production, and transition from linear economy to circular economy model to integrate natural ecosystems, businesses, and waste management, inversely, the actual impact of the circular economy implementation (CEI) in Ghana is yet to be felt. This paper aims to analyse the implications of corporate green culture (CGC) on CEI behaviour, and to design a model that explains the mediating roles of environmental innovativeness (EI) and green intellectual capital (GIC) on the relation between CGC and CEI behaviour from the perspective of a lower resource economy context. Our paper is positioned on positivists' reasoning and quantitative research approach. A survey-based structured questionnaire has been used to collect data from 300 manufacturing firms in Ghana. Our hypotheses have been tested with the aid of SMART-PLS and structural equation modelling. The indicative results have shown that CGC positively affect CEI behaviour. Moreover, EI and GIC have significant and positive effects on CEI behaviour, Besides, GIC serves as a medium through which CGC indirectly impacts on CEI behaviour. The implications of the study include the emergence of baseline model to encourage CEI behaviour in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African countries. The paper recommends that the newly developed model be used by practitioners to explain coordinated economic, ecological and social development, and restore ecological environment. Policymakers are encouraged to facilitate the reinforcement of environmental policies and subsequent realization of Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of Governments of Ghana efforts to deal with misappropriation of public sector resources, the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658) was established to ensure probity, accountability, and transparency in the management of public sector resources, yet there is a high Corruption Perception Index in Ghana as asserted by the Transparent International 2021 release. To address this concern, our paper is aimed to develop a new model to explain the extent to which internal audit effectiveness (IAE) could be used to build strong organizational resilience as a mechanism through which efficiency in public procurement could be achieved while reducing public sector corruption incidence. Data have been collected from a cross-section of public sector workers. The structural equation modeling approach has been used to analyze the survey data. Our results have shown that cultural, and strategic resilience dimensions of organizational resilience significantly mediate the relationship between IAE and procurement performance. These results have implications for re-enforcement of audit regulations to ensure transparency in managing public sector resources with a focus on reducing negative public sector corruption perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In emerging nations like Ghana, unemployment has grown to be a serious worry for graduates. According to this perspective, the majority of graduates are recommended to start their own businesses rather than wait for positions from the government. This paper aims to examine the entrepreneurial intentions among University students, using variables such as Motivation, Family Background, Entrepreneurship Education and External Factors. This is a cross-sectional study where the results were based on the outcomes of a survey among the University of Cape Coast, school of Business students (n=130). Inferential statistical procedures such as the Pearson Product-Moment correlation test, Multiple Regression and Stepwise Regression Analysis were used to assess the study's specific aims and tested the four main hypotheses. The results indicated that all variables but Family Background positively influence students' entrepreneurial intentions and that Motivation is statistically significant in analyzing the factors that significantly affect the students' entrepreneurial intentions. Hence, more emphasis should be based on motivating the students both within and outside to enable them develop entrepreneurial mindsets. The study suggests that policymakers should focus on encouraging student entrepreneurship as it will be a proper management to deal with the severe unemployment issue in emerging countries, especially Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between green supply chain management (Green SCM) practices and environmental performance, and develop an integrated model to explain the mediating role of ecocentricity on the relationship between Green SCM practices and environmental performance in the context of the Ghanaian downstream petroleum industry. Design/methodology/approach: To address the objectives of the study, a survey had been conducted among companies in the Ghanaian downstream value chain. The paper used the structural equation modeling approach and smart partial least squares (Smart-PLS) analytical tool. Findings: The study revealed that Green SCM practices had a significant and positive relationship with supply chain ecocentricity and environmental performance. The study further revealed that supply chain ecocentricity significantly mediated the relationship between Green SCM practices and environmental performance. Practical implications: The study has developed a new integrated model to enhance oil and gas marketing and distribution company's adaptation and implementation of Green SCM practices. Originality/value: The study had successfully applied the natural resource-based view and the stakeholder theory in the context of Ghana's downstream petroleum industry. Specifically, these theories had been integrated to form a new model to explain the relationship between Green SCM practices, supply chain ecocentricity and environmental performance in the context of Ghana's downstream petroleum industry. The newly developed integrated model has wider predictability as compared to the individual theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although, the Renewable Energy Act 2011 (Act, 832) was enacted to facilitate development and investment in the Renewable Energy sources in Ghana as part of the efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7, the actual impacts of the policy are yet to be felt as manifested in the amendment Act 2020 (Act, 1045). There is the need to develop alternative model to enhance investment in the renewable energy sector. Drawing from the Resources Based View (RBV) and Porter's Five Forces this paper is aimed to develop a simplified model to explain Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) investment determinants in the renewable energy sources in Ghana. We argued that the simplified integrated model provides robust predictability and wider generalization. Our paper is anchored on the positivists' epistemology and quantitative methodology. Our hypotheses have been tested using a cross sectional data from the Ghanaian SMEs. Variance Based Partial Least Squares (PLS) method has been used to analyze the survey data. Our results indicate that entrepreneurial competency, financial resource, marketing capability and technological usage significantly relate to investment in renewable energy. Moreover, the results have showed that competitive rivalry, threat of entry and bargaining power of customers significantly relate to investment in renewable energy. These results substantiate the well-known argument that industry forces and resource competitive strategies are significant determinants of firm's competitiveness and behavioural intentions. Overall, these results have theoretical and practical implications to facilitate the capacity of SMEs and create enabling renewable energy local content policy to enhance SME's participation in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influx of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the COP 21 has necessitated the need for a paradigm shift in traditional consumption and production to reflect a balance between environmental safety, social justice and profitability. The Ghanaian Petroleum Industry is predominately fossil fuel–based with higher level of carbon and methane emissions. Ensuing from the Stakeholders' and the Resource-Based View theories, this paper aims to develop a model to explain the relationship between sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices and sustainable performance (SP) by examining the extent to which pressure from stakeholders could strengthen the proposed model in the context of downstream petroleum supply chain. Variance-Based Partial Least Square method has been used to analyse a cross-sectional data from Oil Marketing companies in Ghana. Our results have revealed that SSCM practices such as environmental, economic, and social are positively related to SP. Moreover, stakeholder's pressure positively and significantly relates to SP. Again, stakeholders' pressure significantly moderate the relationships between environmental and social dimensions of SSCM practices and SP. By implications, there is an emergency of an SP model with enhanced predictability. Again, policymakers and advocates can achieve greater sustainability by maximising stakeholders' pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to Agenda 2030 and the Paris Climate Accord, the Ghana Energy Transition has been inaugurated to ensure a speedy shift from fossil fuel sources to clean energy (Solar, Wind, Thermal, Ocean Energy, Hydro Energy etc.) to avoid the worst of climate change. To facilitate the transition, we have developed an integrated model to explain the relationship between industry forces and investment intentions in renewable energy resources, and the moderating role of sustainable competitive strategy on the relationship between industry forces and investment intention. Cross-sectional survey data from Ghanaian private firms have been collected between January and February, 2022, and used for the study. To test our hypotheses, structural equation modelling approach and SMART-PLS 3.3.1 have been used. The results have shown that industry forces have significant effects on investment intention. The results have further shown that sustainable competitive strategy has significant relationships with investment intention. Moreover, the sustainable competitive strategy dimension of entrepreneurial competency has moderated the relationship between industry forces and investment intention. These results offer theoretical, policy and practical implications and guidance on strategies needed to attract private investment in renewable energy resources in Ghana and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2011, successive Governments in Ghana have developed, and implemented Renewable Energy Master Plan to leverage macroenvironmental forces and encourage indigenous investment in Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs), but the actual impacts are yet to be felt by Ghanaians. The main objectives of the study are to: examine the impacts of Macroenvironment Forces (MF) on Small and Medium Enterprises' (SMEs) investment intentions in RETs, and determine the moderating effects of Entrepreneurship Orientation (EO) dimensions (viz. proactiveness, competitive aggression, innovativeness, and risk-taken) on the relationship between MF and SMEs' investment intentions. A total of 240 usable responses were received through self-administered survey questionnaires among Ghanaian SMEs. Variance-Based Partial Least Square Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used for the data analyses and hypotheses testing. The results revealed that MF had significant and positive relationship with SMEs' intention to invest in RETs. Moreover, the results showed that proactiveness, competitive aggressive, and innovation had direct effects on intention to invest in RETs. Again, the results showed that EO dimensions significantly moderated the relationship between MF and investment intentions in RETs. The implications of these results include extending previous MF works by evaluating MF, EO, and investment intention relationships in a developing country context, which has been largely ignored in previous studies. Again, this paper provides insights into the value of macroenvironment scanning and assessment which could lead to better investment intentions in clean, affordable, and reliable energy service. Besides, the efficacy of EO in MF-investment intentions relationship has been well established in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is the need to reexamine the nexus between industry forces and investment behavior due to mixed and ambiguous results in most previous studies. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the antecedents of industry forces affect investment behavior of Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana's downstream oil and gas sector. The SMEs manager's perceived benefits of oil and gas trade have also been examined. A cross sectional survey methodology has been used to collect data from 475 Ghanaian SMEs via structured questionnaire. Data have been analyzed using partial least square method. Using exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis our results reveal that threat of entry, competitive rivalry, power of suppliers and power of buyers are related to SMEs investment behavior. We find insufficient empirical evidence to support the relationship between threat of substitutes and investment behavior. Our substantive evidence further show that SMEs managers/owners have high expectation from the oil and gas trade notably: High earnings, employment opportunities, improvement in infrastructure and service extension to Ghanaians. Our robust results are partially consistent with Porters' five forces model. These results have important implication on oil and gas investment and industrial restructuring to facilitate SMEs participation in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using daily data spanning from January 2, 1998 to December 20, 2011, the study investigated the cointegration and the Granger causality relationships between exchange rates and stock prices in Ghana. Augmented Dickey-Fuller test was used to test for unit root process in the data series and the results show that both variables are integrated at order one, I (1). The Engle-Granger (1987) two-step cointegration test was used to test for cointegration between the two variables. The results show that there is no cointegration relationship between the two. Also, a structural break in the relationship between the two variables after the redenomination of the Ghana's currency (Cedi) on July 3, 2007 was noticed. In effect, VAR between the stock price and exchange rate returns for pre-redenomination and post-redenomination sub-sample periods and consequently test for Granger causality. Unidirectional causality from exchange rates to stock prices before the redenomination but no causality between the two after the redenomination of the cedi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]