Factors limiting the adoption of hemp as an alternative sustainable material for green building delivery in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kofi Agyekum ◽  
Emmanuel Adinyira ◽  
James Anthony Oppon
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Material ◽  
Environmental Threats ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government

PurposeThe increased awareness of global environmental threats like climate change has created an upsurge of interest in low embodied carbon building materials for green building delivery. Though the literature advocates for the use of hemp-based building materials, there is no evidence of studies to explore its potential use in Ghana. Therefore, this study explores the potential factors that limit the adoption of hemp as an alternative sustainable material for green building delivery in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was used to solicit the views of built environment professionals operating in construction, consulting and developer firms. The questions were developed through a comparative review of the related literature and complemented with a pilot review. Data were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics.FindingsOn the average, the majority of the respondents showed a moderate level of awareness of hemp and its related uses in the construction industry. Also, certain key factors like the perceived association of hemp with marijuana, lack of expertise in the production of hemp-related building materials, farmers not getting the needed clearance for the cultivation of hemp, lack of legislation by the government in the legalisation of hemp and the inadequate knowledge of consumers on the benefits of hemp-based building materials were identified as potential limitations to the adoption of hemp as an alternative sustainable material for green building delivery.Originality/valueThe findings from this study provide insights into a less investigated area in sub-Saharan Africa and further provide new and additional information to the current state-of-the-art on the potential for the use of hemp in the building construction sector.

scholarly journals Key drivers for green building project financing in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kofi Agyekum ◽  
Chris Goodier ◽  
James Anthony Oppon
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Green Buildings ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Project Financing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Building Project

PurposeThe majority of the literature on green buildings in Ghana focuses on environmental benefits, innovative designs, construction technologies and project management techniques. However, little is known about how such facilities are financed. This issue creates potential knowledge gaps, one of which this study aims to address. This study examines the key drivers for green building project financing in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of eight potential drivers. One hundred and twenty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these drivers from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively (mean, standard deviation and standard error) and via inferential analysis (One Way ANOVA and One-Sample t-Test). These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with ten industry professionals within the Ghana Green Building Council. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data.FindingsThough all eight drivers are important, the five key drivers for the Ghanian construction industry were identified as, in order of importance, “high return on investment”, “emerging business opportunity”, “ethical investment”, “conservation of resources” and “mandatory regulations, standards, and policies”. The interviewees agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified drivers for green building project financing from validating the survey's key findings.Research limitations/implicationsKey limitations of this study are the restrictions regarding the geographical location of the collected data (i.e. Kumasi and Accra); timing of the study and sample size (i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult to obtain adequate data).Practical implicationsThough this study was conducted in Ghana, its implications could be useful to researchers, policymakers, stakeholders and practitioners in wider sub-Saharan Africa. For instance, financial institutions can invest in green buildings to expand their green construction and mortgage finance products to build higher value and lower risk portfolios. The findings from this study can provide investors with the enhanced certainty needed to help guide and inform their investment decisions, i.e. what to invest in, and when, by how much and how a scheme being “green” may influence their rate of return. Also, for building developers, it will give them a clearer understanding of the business case for green buildings and how to differentiate themselves in the market to grow their businesses.Originality/valueThis study's findings provide insights into an under-investigated topic in Ghana and offer new and additional information and insights to the current state-of-the-art on the factors that drive green building project financing.

Local dynamics exacerbate Africa copper sector woes

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Copper Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Requirements ◽  
The Face ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Slight Rise ◽  
Current Slump ◽  
Unemployment Problem

Subject Outlook for the copper sector in sub-Saharan Africa. Significance Africa's copper production is forecast to be marginally lower in 2016 at 1.823 million tonnes, compared to 1.895 million tonnes in 2015. This is due to production cutbacks implemented in the face of continued weakness in international -- especially Chinese -- demand. A slight rise in prices earlier in the year was not sustained, dampening the economic prospects for major exporting countries. Impacts The deaths of several miners at a Glencore mine in Zambia may push the government to enforce tougher safety requirements. Miners are unlikely to restore all the jobs shed during the current slump, extending the region's unemployment problem. Divisions within the Congolese opposition on whether to negotiate with Kabila on the delayed polls will exacerbate political tensions.

scholarly journals Strategic accountability for sustainability of natural resources – public discharge and optimism in sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Tetteh Asare ◽  
Bruce Burton ◽  
Theresa Dunne
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Legitimacy ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Accountability Practices

Purpose This study aims to explore individual perceptions about how the government, as the main architect of policies and regulations, discharges strategic accountability in Ghana’s oil and gas sector and, in so doing, promotes resource sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The study reports on a series of interviews with key actors using institutional theory as a lens for discussion and interpretation of results. This approach forms the basis for a number of specific contributions to knowledge regarding strategic accountability around natural resource discoveries. Findings Whilst many deeply-set problems appear to persist, the paper reports some favourable movement in public perceptions regarding institutional accountability that has not been identified previously. The empirical findings demonstrate how the three elements of institutional theory work together in an emerging country’s natural resource industry to drive a potentially holistic strategic institutional legitimacy, contrary to the existing pervasive picture of detrimental regulative, normative and cognitive institutionalism found within the region. Practical implications The findings suggest that, contrary to existing regional evidence regarding institutional financial accountability practices around natural resources, Ghana has made favourable strides in terms of strategic accountability discharge. This discovery implies that with persistence and commitment, a meaningful degree of intelligent strategic accountability can be achieved and, with appropriate empirical methodology, identified and rationalised. Social implications The persistent coercive pressure from the Ghanaian society that caused the government to listen to overtime and take positive steps in the institutionalisation of their strategic accountability process which translated into a holistic institutional legitimacy that has eluded the sub-region for decades, is a glimmer of hope for other societies within the sub-Saharan region that all is not lost. Originality/value The paper suggests an empirically driven approach to understanding the institutionalisation of strategic accountability practices and their impact on sustainability around natural resources in sub-Saharan Africa. The focus on the strategic aspect of accountability – rather than the financial as in most prior work – and the consideration of opinions at more than a single point in time permits the identification of novel evidence regarding accountability in emerging economies.

Who could have seen this coming? The Kenya red cross society and the drought appeal of 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Ben Otieno Ngoye ◽  
Halima Saado ◽  
Caroline Wambui Gachari
Keyword(s):  
Public Management ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Crisis Communications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Dry Spell ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government

Learning outcomes The case will be useful in helping learners: to appreciate concepts in and develop the necessary understanding to apply relevant theories in crisis communications; to identify communications issues along with the evolution of a crisis; to understand the importance and role of a crisis communications team; and to develop skills in writing a crisis communications plan. Case overview/synopsis The case is a narration of the experiences of the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) as it launched the Kenya drought appeal in March 2019, and the unexpected media and public backlash that ensued. The background is that of an unusual-yet-previously-predicted dry spell, consequent drought and famine, alleged famine-related deaths, mixed signals from the national and county government and a hitherto well-regarded institution (the KRCS) coming in to launch an appeal aimed at raising funds to help alleviate the effects of the prolonged drought and consequent famine in the northern parts of the country. Unfortunately, a major media and public backlash that was not foreseen by KRCS ensued, and it threatened the reputation and very existence of the organization. Drawing on interviews and secondary material in the public domain, the case focuses on how the KRCS navigates the media and public backlash that ensued following the funding appeal. The case is interesting because of the type of organization involved (a not-for-profit institution set up as auxiliary to the government and of good repute), the nature of the problem (reputational crisis and attendant risk management), the setting (a LMIC in sub-Saharan Africa) and the level of analysis (organizational rather than individual decision-making).[AQ1] Complexity academic level Masters level – MBA, Executive MBA, Master’s in Public Management, Master’s in Communication and/or similar courses. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

Institutionalizing the fight against money laundering in Tanzania: the potential, limitations and challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene E. Mniwasa
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Institutional Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Frameworks ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Legal Perspective ◽  
The Law ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government

Purpose This paper aims to examine the authorities tasked to fight against money laundering in Tanzania and appraise the efficacy of the country’s anti-money institutional framework to tackle the problem. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a qualitative research and data generated from the analysis of documentary materials. It surveys the anti-money laundering (AML) law in Tanzania to describe the legal and institutional frameworks for tackling money laundering. It explores law-related and non-law aspects to interrogate and appraise the efficacy of Tanzania’s AML law and authorities. The qualitative data were generated using the thematic content analysis technique. Findings The law in Tanzania establishes authorities and vests them with powers to combat money laundering. The authorities, which are part of Tanzania’s AML institutional framework, have been instrumental in combating money laundering. Nevertheless, several law-related and non-law factors emasculate the efficacy of the AML law and authorities in Tanzania. Some political and economic factors wear off the effectiveness of the country’s AML institutional framework. The transnational nature and complexity of money laundering overwhelm the capacity of the AML authorities in Tanzania. Practical implications The paper provides useful insights on money laundering and the legal regime to counteract the scourge in Tanzania which sets up the country’s AML institutional framework. It raises some issues for researchers, policymakers and law enforcers who can re-examine the problem and revisit the law and re-evaluate authorities and propose measures that will enable the government to reinforce the country’s AML regime. The paper makes a case for the government to implement the reforms of the country’s AML policy, legal and institutional frameworks. Originality/value The paper investigates issues relating to money laundering and its control in Tanzania beyond the legal perspective to uncover limitations and challenges that emasculate the efficacy of the AML authorities in the Tanzanian context. The issues examined in this paper are not unique to Tanzania and, hence, have relevance to other jurisdictions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Analyzing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vegetable market supply in Northwestern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aemro Worku ◽  
M. Ali Ülkü
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Major Incidents ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Market Channel

PurposeDue to global trade and transportation, the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly reached all corners of the world; it has most impacted the poor communities and rural areas with limited or no access to recovery. This paper aims to understand the pandemic's impact on the market supply of vegetables (agrifood) in Ethiopia and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and to implement scientifically based recommendations that can improve the challenges caused by the pandemic and improve the livelihoods of vegetable producers.Design/methodology/approachThis study assessed the major incidents that follow the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia with the factors that significantly influence onion market supply in the Mecha district of Northwestern Ethiopia using linear multiple regression.FindingsThe study revealed that producers, processors, local collectors, cooperatives, wholesalers, retailers and consumers are the main actors. The most important difference that happened on the onion market channel after the outbreak of coronavirus was brokers were removed from the market channel after the pandemic and this saved the cost producers pay as a commission. The pandemic disrupted input distribution, extension and cooperative services and created labor scarcity. Access to market, postharvest value addition, price and marketing contract were significant factors that influence the market supply of onion. The study identified the need for policy interventions by the government to overcome the postpandemic challenges and ensure the sustainable development of onion production and marketing in the Mecha district.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study are primarily related to the methodology as data are collected at a single moment in time. However, the study observes that those changes after the pandemic are better understood if we collect data at different time. Therefore, the future study needs to provide longitudinal data to examine stability of response and to observe performance of the market that occur over time.Originality/valueThis original research is the first to study the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northwestern Ethiopia. The data used in the analysis are primary.

The palace will have the final say in Moroccan policy

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Prime Minister ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
The Political ◽  
Coalition Government ◽  
Fiscal Discipline ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Rates Of Growth ◽  
And Training

Significance Morocco’s inability to form a coalition government following the general election of October 2016 ended when Othmani announced on March 25 that he reached an agreement with five other parties. King Mohammed VI broke the political logjam by replacing Abdelilah Benkirane as the prime minister-designate with Othmani, another leading figure from the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD). Impacts The government will continue to base its economic policy on keeping tight fiscal discipline. Rabat will also aspire to higher rates of growth through promoting investment and exports. The king will seek to depoliticise the economy and to keep promoting Moroccan investment in sub-Saharan Africa. Taking its cue from the king, the government is likely to set ambitious targets for improving the level of education and training.

Debt, revenue woes to push African states to seek help

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Municipal Bond ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Finance Minister ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Commercial Sources ◽  
The Government

Subject Outlook for sovereign debt in sub-Saharan Africa. Significance Nigerian Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun on January 31 announced that the government is in "exploratory talks" with the World Bank to borrow 2.5 billion dollars. Squeezed by low commodity revenues, sub-Saharan African states (SSA) are struggling to manage their external debt, which has grown by 90% to 46.5 billion dollars overall during 2010-14, much of it from commercial sources. Impacts South Africa will dominate SSA municipal bond issuance since most states lack adequate subnational financial management. Donors may use the new loans to Angola and Nigeria as leverage for sharper currency depreciation. Yet this would pressure central banks, which will likely raise interest rates to support thier currency and mitigate inflation. Despite falling copper revenues, Zambia will likely delay seeking IMF assistance since reform conditions will prove politically toxic.

Mechanisms and challenges in financing renewable energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa: a Ghanaian perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
De-Graft Owusu-Manu ◽  
Lawrence Martin Mankata ◽  
Caleb Debrah ◽  
David John Edwards ◽  
Igor Martek
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Index Analysis ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government

Purpose Ghana has set an objective of achieving 10% of its energy requirements through renewable sources, by 2020. However, to date, the renewable energy (RE) sector has attracted only marginal investor interest. This paper aims to identify the challenges faced in financing RE in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive review of literature in renewable energy finance was conducted and 12 financing challenges were identified. From this list, a questionnaire was developed asking to rank barriers. This was distributed to experts within financial institutions and 32 were returned. A factor analysis and severity index analysis were performed to identify a ranking of challenges impeding RE project financing in Ghana. Findings The challenges to RE financing fall into the three broad categories, namely, “economic, commercial and regulatory” challenges. Within these broad constraints, “long payback periods,” “limited track record” and “high upfront cost” are the most severe impediments to obtaining financing for RE. Practical implications Identifying the specific conditions that make an investment in RE unattractive, give policymakers set on achieving the 10% RE goal, a way forward in developing a targeted policy that would mitigate identified investor disincentives. Originality/value The broad range of potential barriers to investment are known. However, this study combines a specific governmental ambition – encouraging the financing of RE – with a specific set of identified barriers inhibiting that ambition. In this regard, this study identifies exactly where the government needs to act if it is to facilitate investment in RE, as is required for Ghana to reach its 10% RE target.

scholarly journals Nascent multinationals from West Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin I.N. Ibeh ◽  
Idika Awa Uduma ◽  
Dilshod Makhmadshoev ◽  
Nnamdi O. Madichie
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Entry Modes ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivations underpinning the foreign direct investment (FDI) activities, including the location and entry mode decisions, of nascent multinational enterprises (MNEs) from West Africa. Design/methodology/approach This research adopted a case study approach entailing the triangulation of interview data with documentary evidence on two leading West African financial service companies that have FDI footprints in over 50 country markets. Findings Evidence suggests the primacy of market-seeking motivations in explaining the FDI activities of the explored nascent MNEs, with relationship, efficiency and mission-driven motivations emerging as strong sub-themes. Having neither the global resonance of their traditional counterparts nor the government-augmented resource profile of their Asian counterparts, the study firms appear to have shied away from costly strategic asset and prestige-seeking FDI, and preferred psychically and institutionally proximate sub-Saharan African markets and non-organic collaborative entry modes. Research limitations/implications The above insights should be considered tentative given the study’s limited evidence base. This underscores the need for a larger scale empirical effort to assess the propositional inventory outlined at the end of this paper. Practical implications Africa’s growing population of MNEs are urged to continue to strengthen their positions across African markets, view these regional markets as a platform to learn and upgrade their capabilities for future expansion into more challenging global markets, and to augment their limited resource profiles, including by tapping into their global diaspora networks. Policy makers should support their market-seeking initiatives given evidence that they could be a pathway to higher order FDI motivations. This evolutionary approach reflects enduring lessons from earlier generations of MNEs. Policy makers should also support continuing intra-African investment flows as a pathway to creating more sizeable, integrated African markets and generating positive spill-overs, including in typically blind-sided post-conflict or fragile African markets. This also entails pushing for cross-border regulation needed to minimise the transfer of systemic risks across countries. Originality/value The study provides rare empirical evidence on hitherto neglected MNEs from sub-Saharan Africa, thus extending the geographic compass of research on FDI motivations. It identifies some distinctive aspects of the explored MNEs’ FDI behaviour, including the previously unheralded mission-driven motivation, whilst also revealing shared characteristics with traditional MNEs and emerging market multinational enterprisess.

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