Department of Communication Studies

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://10.30.1.83:4000/handle/123456789/15

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Examining the Level of Public Awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: An Empirical Evidence from Ghana
(Springer Link (Environment, Development and Sustainability), 2023-01-27) Odoom, Daniel; Opoku, Mensah Eric; Dick‑Sagoe, Christopher; Lee, Ka Yiu; Opoku, Ernest; Obeng‑Baah, Joseph
Nations which are part of the United Nations are required to institute appropriate measures to fulfil the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, for this to be possible, all stakeholders including the general public need to be fully aware of the SDGs. This research examined the level of public awareness about the SDGs among Ghanaians based on the views of 431 respondents. Means, standard deviation, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis and Pearson Product-Moment Correlations were used for data analysis. The study found that awareness level on SDG 1 (ending poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger, food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture), SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) was high among Ghanaians. However, awareness level on SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 14 (conservation of life below water), and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) was very low among Ghanaians. No significant difference manifested in the level of awareness among male and female Ghanaians. There were statistically significant differences in educational levels of respondents and their overall level of awareness of the SDGs. Also, there was a low, negative correlation between overall level of awareness and the effectiveness of the communication strategies used in creating awareness about the SDGs. Government should re-examine its communication strategies on the SDGs and put in place a more effective communication policy framework which involves grassroots populations and local communities.
e-Government Readiness in Ghana: a SWOT and PEST Analyses
(Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. (Electronic Government, An International Journal), 2012-10) Andoh-Baidoo, Francis Kofi; Babb, Jeffry Stephen; Agyepong, Lawrencia
E-Government has transformed how governments provide effi cient and effective services to citizens, businesses and other government agencies in both developed and developing nations. For developing nations, a context-oriented approach should be considered for a successful implementation of e-government. The paper examines the e-government readiness of Ghana, a developing nation in Africa. We employ a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technological) analysis of Ghana’s readiness to successfully implement e-government. We provide implications for practice and research. The analysis framework used in this study can be applied for other South-Saharan Nations.
Challenges Associated with the Delivery of Development Projects within the Decentralised Government System: Views of Selected Stakeholders in the Shama District, Ghana
(Journal of Development and Communication Studies, 2021-12) Odoom, Daniel; Agyepong, Lawrencia; Mensah, Francis Kojo; Opoku, Ernest; Owusu Amoabeng, Yaw
Decentralisation policy is important in ensuring effective delivery of development services at the local level. Governments across the globe utilize decentralised government system as a way of promoting people-centered development. Notwithstanding the value of decentralisation policy, governments struggle with the provision of development services at the local level. This suggests that more efforts need to be made to ensure the realisation of the dividends of decentralisation. However, this cannot be made without an awareness of the challenges local actors face in the delivery of development services. This paper examines the views of stakeholders on the challenges associated with the delivery of development projects within the Ghanaian decentralised government system using the Shama District as a case in order to proffer some measures to improve the situation in the country using the sequential-explanatory mixed method design. Data were collected using interview guide and interview schedule. The study revealed that stakeholder management, involvement of project managers, defining project goals, assigning roles and responsibilities to key officers, and monitoring and evaluation of projects were some of the measures the Assembly had put in place for the delivery of development projects in the district. However, communication was a serious challenge throughout the delivery of development projects in the district. The implications of the key findings for development communication have been highlighted in the study. As part of the recommendations of the study, the Assembly should put in place adequate measures to improve communication throughout the various stages of development service delivery in the district.
A Comparative Analysis of Students’ Technology Uses During Covid-19 Lockdown in Ghana
(Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC), 2021-06) Aboagye Da-Costa, Caroline; Opoku, Mensah Eric; Agyepong, Lawrencia
The study tests an author-derived quantitative version of the Student Technology Use Framework by assessing the effectiveness of distance learning technologies deployed by universities in Ghana during the Covid-19 lockdown period. It focuses on the knowledge acquisition needs of students who were initially admitted into the traditional learning mode but had to adapt to distance learning following the lockdown. The population comprises undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Christian Service University College (CSUC), a private university in Kumasi, and the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), a public university in Accra. The sample size was 351 - 187 from CSUC and 164 from GIJ. Copies of a questionnaire were distributed to CSUC students by personal contact, and a Google Forms link to GIJ students via e-mail. Results show that students in public universities had lower technological learning capabilities than their compatriots in private universities, resulting in a better learning experience throughout the lockdown.
The Challenge of Participation in Community Development Activities in Rural Ghana: Implications for Effective Development Communication
(Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 2021) Odoom, Daniel; Annor-Frempong, Festus; Akaba, Selorm; Agyepong, Lawrencia; Obeng-Mensah, Albert; Obeng-Baah, Joseph
Despite increasing calls for adequate measures to promote participatory development, stakeholder satisfaction with participation in development projects remains a challenge. This study explored the views of beneficiaries of Cocoa Life Project interventions and local authorities of Wassa East District of Ghana regarding their satisfaction with participation during the planning, implementation and evaluation stages of a development project. The study used sequential-dependence mixed methods design. A total of 410 respondents including farmers, members of Village Savings and Loans Groups, Head of District Agriculture Department, Head of Business Advisory Centre, District Education Planner and Extension Agents were selected for the study. Interview schedule, focus group discussion and interview guides were used for data collection. The study found that, apart from awareness creation on development problems and problem identification, project beneficiaries and local authorities were lowly satisfied with participation in planning activities. Again, satisfaction with participation in evaluation activities of the project was low among beneficiaries and local authorities. Also, no significant difference manifested in the overall satisfaction with participation among project beneficiaries irrespective of differences in sex and marital status.
Non-Governmental Organizations and Development Service Provision: A Conceptual and Empirical Review
(PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development (PJGD), 2022-02) Odoom, Daniel; Obeng-Baah, Joseph; Agyepong, Lawrencia
Globally, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are seen as a significant driving force behind delivering development services. There is universal consensus within the development community that development service delivery will be incomplete without the involvement of NGOs. Thus, many NGOs across the globe complement governments' efforts in development service delivery, a situation that has occasioned a rapid rise in both the volume and scale of operations of NGOs. Nonetheless, there is a growing debate regarding the conceptual intentions of NGOs. While some scholars believe that NGOs effectively provide development services, others have suggested that development service delivery does not constitute a critical component of NGOs' agenda. There is also the issue of whether or not the approaches NGOs employ in development services are participatory enough. While some scholars opine that participatory development communication approaches characterize NGOs' development services, others maintain that participation is merely rhetoric value within the NGO sector. These contending views risk an obliteration of the continuing relevance of NGOs in development discourse. This paper seeks to contribute to the debate on the place of NGOs in development services and the approaches NGOs employ in contemporary development practice. The authors posit that NGOs occupy a central place in development service provision but concede that NGO operations in development services are not without challenges. The authors argue further tha development services can better be appreciated based on a thorough understanding of the role of participatory development communication in development service provisions. The paper presents a review of the relevant conceptual and empirical literature on NGOs' activities in development services and concludes by identifying lessons that should engage the attention of key stakeholders.
National Disaster Management Organisation’s Risk Communication in Ghana: A Case Study of Flood Areas in Accra
(International Journal of Research in Education Humanities and Commerce, 2022-12) Adu, Charles Hanson; Agyepong, Lawrencia
Risk communication is an integral part of any Risk Management process. This study reports on its importance, the medium, the approach used as well as the factors that influence risk communication in Accra, Ghana. Data obtained from residents through the administration of questionnaires in the flood-prone areas, as well as interviews with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the institution mandated to manage the risk of flooding and other emergencies, brought out various issues on the risk communication process in Accra. This study finds that despite the perceived importance of risk communication in the risk management process, risk communication in Accra is hampered by ineffective regulations and a lack of trust by affected residents among other impediments. This research recommends that NADMO must increasingly use the radio as the main medium for conveying risk messages and that the organization must change its “top-down” risk communication approach into a more interactive one.
Examining the Preparedness of an Emerging Economy Towards e-Government Implementations: SWOT Analysis
(Southwest Decision Sciences Institute Conference, 2011) Andoh-Baidoo, Francis Kofi; Agyepong, Lawrencia
The last decade has witnessed a number of governments around the world working to capture the vast potential of the Internet to improve government processes. Egovernment development very often aims to improve public service delivery capability, as well as public administration governance, transparency, and accountability through the development of e-government service delivery capability. E-government has established itself as the transforming element in the way government services are offered to citizens in developed countries. Although this phenomenon is beginning to show promising results in many developing countries, countries like Ghana are still grappling with the challenge to embrace the opportunities that e-governance presents in order to meet the public needs and expectations while being cost-effective. The purpose of this paper therefore is to present a SWOT analysis of e-government implementation in Ghana.
Face-to Face with COVID-19: Experiences of Ghanaian Frontline Journalists Infected with the Virus
(Springer International Publishing, 2022-05) Boateng Anson, Jonas Kodwo; Buatsi, Redeemer
Journalists around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, media houses have had to make drastic adjustments to the impact of challenges wrought by the pandemic on their operations. Ghanaian media houses also faced similar challenges and disruptions. News reporters and journalists felt the impact of these disruptions with many Ghanaian journalists losing their jobs. This study used affective-emotive theoretical perspective to examine how the possibility of contracting COVID-19 could affect or trigger emotions of fear and anxiety among Ghanaian journalists. The study set two main objectives (1) what workplace safety policies and protocol guidelines were established in newsrooms to mitigate the spread of the virus and (2) to what extent did journalists fear for the safety and well-being of close family members because of their journalism work. The study conducted in-depth unstructured interviews with five journalists who had recovered from the COVID-19 infections. The study found that despite high degrees of fear and anxiety among respondents about on-assignments and workplace infections, respondents still maintained ‘emotional detachment’ to attain objectivity in news reporting. Respondents also expressed high degrees of fear of exposing family members to the virus.
Reversal of Gender Disparity in Journalism Education- Study of Ghana Institute of Journalism
(Observatorio (OBS*) Journal, 2017) Boateng Anson, Jonas Kodwo
Journalism has practically become a feminine profession across the world. To understand the root of the flow of women into the Journalism profession it is pertinent to begin at the university education level. Gallagher’s 1992 worldwide survey of female students in 83 journalism institutions reveals a significant increase in number of female students. Djerf-Pierre (2007) and others argue along Bourdieu’s conception of education as a form of social capital which empowers, enable and enhances women’s competitiveness in a pre-dominantly androgynous social arena. Using 16 years of enrolment data retrieved from the Academic Affair Unit of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), a leading Journalism, and Communication University in Africa, the empirical study examines the growing feminization of journalism. This study uses the UNESCO gender parity index model (GPI) to ascertain the gender parity ratio of male to female students enrolled at the University. Findings indicate a significant shift in the gender parity ratio in favor of women in the journalism education.
Proclivity of Sexual Harassment and Blame Attribution in Journalism: Experiential Narratives of Ghanaian Female Journalists
(Observatorio (OBS*) Journal, 2021) Boateng Anson, Jonas Kodwo; Epp, Lauk
Though the proclivity of sexual-related harassment in African journalism is high, the rates of reporting of these incidences and empirical studies are low. The study employs a gendered approach for an exploratory inquiry into the lived experiences and impressions of Ghanaian female journalists about sexual harassment. The study examines how female journalists experience both newsroom harassments and on-assignment sexual harassment, including the role they play in quid pro quo exchanges, which are relevant aspects of sexual harassment in the profession. The study also examines blame attribution strategies female journalists adopt in assigning blame for sexual harassment occurrences. The study uses a respondent-assisted sampling technique to select and conduct in-depth-interviews with twenty-three female journalists drawn from a cross-section of Ghana's journalism industry. Findings show that most Ghanaian female journalists have encountered sexual harassment from influential men either in the newsroom or on assignment. They also engage in quid pro quo exchanges with influential news related persons either for financial or job-related rewards. Consequently, older female journalists adopt other women blame attributions in assigning blame for incidences of sexual harassment in journalism practice in Ghana.
Multiskilled in Many Ways: Ghanaian Female Journalists between Job and Home
(Univerzita sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave, 2020-11) Boateng Anson; Jonas Kodwo; Epp, Lauk
In Ghana, the feminisation of the journalism profession has become a fact: more girls are entering journalism programmes in the Universities, and the number of women employees are growing in the newsrooms. The problem of balancing work-time arrangements (e.g. irregular and unpredictable work schedules, weekend work and long working hours) with equally important domestic obligations are familiar to most female journalists around the globe. Even in countries with well-developed social support structures, and well-defined labour laws, the current nature of journalism work-time arrangements impedes many female journalists in achieving worklife balance. For most Ghanaian female journalists, the culturally entrenched disproportionate societal power hierarchies amplify the challenges of the gendered journalism environment. This study employs unstructured in-depth interviews with 23 female journalists from various regions in Ghana. The study explores three sets of arrangements and demonstrates their impact on the ability of female journalists to balance their domestic and work obligations. The study revealed that the not-so-successful efforts of combining their multiple domestic and social obligations with professional ones cause emotional stress, guilt and self-condemnation and further revealed, female regional correspondents tend to have higher levels of work-life imbalance.
Understanding Development Communication: A Review of Selected Literature
(E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS), 2020-05) Odoom, Daniel
Communication is critical in any development process. Beyond its role as an empowerment tool, communication is used to promote people’s participation in development activities.Particularly, citizens rely on knowledge and information in order to successfully respond to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic, cultural, political and technological changes. However, for knowledge and information to be useful in the development process, they must be effectively communicated to people. This brings to the fore the compelling relevance of development communication in development discourse. Though development communication is indispensable in sustainable development drive, many people still struggle to appreciate its underlying philosophical underpinnings, conceptual intentions, core principles and methodologies, hence their failure to make the concept practically relevant in development practice. Besides, the poor appreciation of the underpinnings of development communication contributes to the exclusion and isolation of many people especially the rural people from the process of development. What is more, the ever-increasing demand on the part of the citizenry for participatory development coupled with the significant advancement in technologies and globalization means that concerted efforts ought to be put in place by all development stakeholders including governments, research institutions, researchers, and civil society organisations to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of development communication. To achieve this, however, requires an increased discussion on what really constitutes development communication and also generation of a sustained interest and commitment by all stakeholders to the cause of development communication, bearing in mind its unique principles and methodologies. Any confusion in theorizing and conceptualization of development communication potentially contributes to the seemingly unending complexity associated with efforts towards achieving sustainable development. It is in this regard that this paper contributes to the efforts to help bring clarity to the concept of development communication through a review of some existing literature.
Transportation Management Challenges in Ghana: A Study of Three Selected Companies in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
(Daniel Odoom, Christian Kyeremeh, Kwame Owusu-Ansah Owusu Afram, Stephen Tawiah, Transportation Management Challenges in Ghana: A Study of Three Selected Companies in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, American Journal of Economics, Vol. 10 No. 3, 2020, pp. 138-148. doi: 10.5923/j.economics.20201003.04., 2020) Odoom, Daniel; Kyeremeh, Christian; Owusu-Ansah, Kwame Owusu Afram; Tawiah, Stephen
Effective transport systems are critical in the socio-economic development of nations. Globally, there is a wide recognition of the need to put in place adequate measures to achieve sustainable transport systems for the greater good of society. To do this, requires an awareness of the myriad of challenges faced by stakeholders in the transport sector. Against this background, the researchers sought to explore the transportation challenges companies in Ghana face using Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM) as a case. The study adopted the mixed methods approach with descriptive survey as the design. A total of 85 employees of three companies in the Metropolis was involved in the study through census data collection method. The research instruments used were questionnaire and interview guide whilst percentages, means, standard deviation and thematic analytical tools were employed for the study. The study discovered that the greatest transport management challenge in the Metropolis is the general lack of transport management experts. Other challenges include high cost of transport operations, poor vehicle maintenance, ineffective transport policies in organizations and weak transport infrastructure in the Metropolis. It is recommended that companies in STM should put in place proper training and development programs to address the skill gaps in inherent in their transport management systems.
Teacher Motivation and Performance: The Case of Some Selected Early Childhood Care and Education Centres in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana
(International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 2016-01) Odoom, Daniel; Opoku, Ernest; Ntiakoh-Ayipah, Daniel
This paper examined the level of motivation and performance among Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) teachers within the Cape Coast Metropolis. Using a descriptive research design, 60 respondents were selected for the study through purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interview guide were used in obtaining the relevant inputs for the study. It was established that most ECCE teachers in the Cape Coast Metropolis decided to work at the centers in order to secure job and to get opportunities for career development. There was a positive correlation between ECCE teachers’ motivational factors and their level of performance. While promotion was perceived as the number one motivator mostly available at the centers, remuneration and incentives was seen as the least available motivator. The study found that wage/salary provided to teachers at the ECCE centers had the greatest relative influence on ECCE teachers’ performance, with good leadership style as the least determinant of teachers’ job performance. It is recommended that the ECCE centers in collaboration with the District Assembly should provide attractive incentives in order to motivate teachers to give off their best performance. The paper also recommends that effective ECCE programs should be gleaned from well-coordinated efforts of different partners including school managers, parents, communities, local and national governments as well as the civil society.
Staff Development Needs at the Colleges of Education in Ghana: Evidence from the Agogo College
(International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 2016-01) Odoom, Daniel; Opoku, Ernest; Ntiakoh-Ayipah, Daniel
The new mandate given to the colleges of education in Ghana means that the institutions are now expected to pay much attention to issues of staff development as a strategy to achieve their set goals. Given the compelling relevance of academic staff in this shift, this paper investigated the issue of staff development in the Agogo College of Education, with a particular focus on its nature and the existing needs. The study was mainly descriptive. Using census, the 33 Tutors at the College were all involved in the study, with questionnaires and interview guide as the research instruments. Both qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques were employed for the study. The study found the existence of induction and orientation as part of College’s staff development program although it was difficult to authenticate its effectiveness. Although the existing staff development policy was beneficial to the staff, it was not comprehensive enough to address the varying needs of the academic staff. In spite of the difficulties associated with accessing some of them, there existed opportunities for short courses, workshops, sandwich, full-time and distance education programs for personnel at the College to develop their professional skills and status. The institution did not conduct proper needs assessment prior to staff development programs coupled with issues of fairness related to staff development opportunities at the College. Some of the staff development needs at the College were in the areas of teaching methodology, institutional skills, management skills and leadership skills. Others were needs in the contents of some courses, information communication technology, research and publication, and mentoring and supervision. It is recommended that staff development policy in the College should be comprehensive, well written and known to the staff in order to achieve its goals and to promote consistency, continuity and understanding within the institution. It is also recommended that the College should provide both financial and non-financial supports to the academic staff who are already in the system but with qualifications below master’s degrees to enable them upgrade their skills within the shortest possible time. The College should team up with the government and National Council of Tertiary Education (NCTE) to implement relevant policy and programs that must go with its tertiary institution status.
Relevance of Cocoa Life Project Interventions to Community Development in Rural Ghana: Exploring the Views of Beneficiaries in Wassa East District
(Journal of Development and Communication Studies, 2021-03) Odoom, Daniel
This study investigated the relevance of Cocoa Life Project interventions implemented by World Vision Ghana to the development of beneficiary communities using the Wassa East District as a case. The views of members who were mostly farmers, gari processors, soap makers, and members of village savings and loans associations from beneficiary communities were considered in a sequential-dependence mixed method research approach. A total of 406 respondents were selected using stratified, simple random and convenience sampling methods, with 84.2 percent response rate for the quantitative data. Research instruments were interview schedule and focus group discussion guide. Means and standard deviation were used for quantitative analysis whilst thematic analysis was done for the qualitative data. The study observed that WVG’s project interventions were highly relevant to education, business development, financial literacy, microcredit facilities, agriculture, and livelihood diversification within beneficiary communities. Also, awareness creation was one of the main communication tools WVG relied upon in promoting community development in the district. Though the interventions led to behaviour change, there were concerns with the overall change in behaviour within the communities. Besides, beneficiary communities had diverse development needs which could only be understood through appropriate and well-planned development communication strategies and approaches. As part of the recommendations, WVG should collaborate with Mondelez International and local authorities to come out with measures to improve upon job creation, behaviour change at the community level, health care services, and water and sanitation in Cocoa Life communities.
Participation of Women in Local Level Elections in the Afigya-Kwabre District of Ghana: Can this be a Better Example?
(International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 2017-02) Odoom, Daniel; Opoku, Ernest; Ntiakoh-Ayipah, Daniel
Generally, participation of women in local government elections has been lower than other elective positions. For instance, few women in Ghana and other neighboring countries such as Togo and Cote d’Ivoire have the courage to contest elections at the local level and subsequently emerging as winners for positions of the assembly. This is indeed a challenge to democratic governance in particular and nation-building, in general. This study therefore sought to explore the issue of women participation in local level elections in the Afigya Kwabre District using a descriptive exploratory design. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 67 respondents for the study. Questionnaires and interview guide were used to solicit the views of respondents on the issue. The study revealed that women’s participation in local in the district was low. It was observed that factors such as inadequate funds, inferiority complex, fear and intimidation and cultural beliefs impinged on women’s participation in local governance. Some societal perceptions that may affect women who partake in elections include the fact that they become disrespectful after winning elections; they refused to perform domestic duties; not natural leaders and become proud when they are in positions. Some of the benefits of women’s participation in DAE are promotion of the welfare of women and children, gender balance in the District Assembly, facilitation of community development as well as serving as training ground for women. A number of measures such as the use of incentives, proper affirmative action, improved gender education and gender equality could be used to promote women’s participation in local level elections in the district. It is recommended that the District Assembly should properly collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government and Development, the Ministry of Gender Protection and Social Welfare as well as the Development partners to design policy programs and initiatives that will be tailored towards improving poverty levels among women in the country through capacity building programs for women. The government should effectively collaborate with civil society organizations to put in place effective measures including financial incentives, public education, affirmative action and gender education programs in order to improve participation among women during local level elections in the district. The National Commission for Civic Education should be adequately resourced to discharge its mandate of educating people on their civic rights and responsibilities.
Local Revenue Mobilization Mechanisms: Evidence from the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District in Ghana
(Developing Country Studies, 2014) Opoku, Ernest; Kyeremeh, Christian; Odoom, Daniel
This paper examined the local revenue mobilization mechanisms in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District in Ghana. A total of 214 respondents made up of 20 officials of the Assembly and 194 tax payers were involved in the study. The study demonstrated that despite the availability of other sources of local revenue, the Assembly was yet to take advantage of them. The strength of the Assembly’s local revenue collection measures included revenue collectors’ inclusion in tax decisions, house-to-house collection, and database. However, the weaknesses included poor taxpayer participation in tax decisions, inadequate personnel for revenue mobilization and poor cash management systems and accountability mechanisms at the Assembly. Some of the challenges the Assembly faced in improving local revenue generation were unwillingness on the part of the taxpayers to meet tax obligation, low pace of development and political considerations. It is recommended that the Assembly should put in place strong monitoring and supervisory mechanisms to check the revenue collectors, sanctions defaulting collectors, and also create room for private participation in local revenue collection.
Investigating the Challenges Faced by Microfinance Institutions in Ghana: Evidence from Takoradi
(International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE), 2019-05) Odoom, Daniel; Oppong Fosu, Kennedy; Ankomah, Kwadwo; Birago Amofa, Marian
Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) contribute immensely to the economy of every nation. Particularly, within the informal sector, MFIs constitute the pivot around which many financially disadvantaged individuals rely on in terms of access to finance for their businesses. MFIs play a tremendous role in the poverty reduction and employment creation agenda of many nations including Ghana. Notwithstanding the immense role MFIs play in the economies of nations, there is a wide recognition of the fact that the institutions can perform better if they are able to overcome the challenges they face in their operations. However, in order for MFIs to effectively tackle the challenges they encounter, it is important for them to first identify and appreciate these challenges and the threats they pose to the effectiveness of their operations. Within this context, this study sought to explore the challenges MFIs in Ghana face, with particular emphasis on those operating in Takoradi. The study was quantitative, with descriptive survey as the design. Managers and employees of MFIs located in the city licensed by the Bank of Ghana were involved in the study. Simple random sampling method was used to select 114 respondents for the study and questionnaire was relied upon for data collection. The researchers used frequencies, percentages, an independent samples t-test and ANOVA as tools for data analysis. The study observed that increased competition in the industry, low repayment rates, higher cost of information technology, low level knowledge of operators, inadequate and expensive infrastructure base, high capital requirements, unfavourable regulation and supervision, inadequate employee incentives, and erosion of public confidence in MFIs were ranked as major challenges in the industry. A significant difference existed in the perception of male and female respondents on the challenges MFIs in the city faced. However, there was no statistically significant difference in educational qualifications of respondents and their views on the challenges MFIs in Takoradi faced. It is recommended that MFIs in the city should invest in staff development for all levels, from senior level to junior level. Also, Managements of MFIs should put in place adequate measures to educate their clients on the need to pay their loans and also institute appropriate sanctions to deal with loan defaulters. This will also require MFI to ensure credit worthiness of clients before granting them loans. Again, the Managements of MFIs should come out with appropriate measures to incentivize their employees so as to avoid possible cases of poaching.

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