Normative practices of property rating in Ghana: towards improving policy on rating undeveloped urban lands in secondary cities

PurposeThe paper examined how local authorities have attempted to rate undeveloped land as a means of mobilising revenues and the challenges associated with implementing this policy guideline. It focused on current practices in terms of policy and administration, the availability of undeveloped urban land, its revenue potential, and ways to improve policy for local land taxation.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from the mixed-method approach both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Officials of the Wa Municipal Assembly, Lands Commission, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority were purposely selected based on their knowledge and the roles they play in property rating practice. They were interviewed to understand their perceptions and views on rating undeveloped lands. Stratified proportionate and simple random sampling methods were used to select respondents. The respondents included land and landed property owners in three selected neighbourhoods.FindingsThe paper found that there was the prevalence of undeveloped lands mainly held by speculators and individuals constrained by financial challenges to develop their parcels. The Wa Municipal Assembly is unable to implement the policy guideline on charging rent on undeveloped lands due to lack of adequate information and generally unwillingness to implement this provision. Besides, the current guideline is too prohibitive and cannot be implemented in its current form. However, there is a window of opportunity for the Assembly to build data on undeveloped lands and moderately begin the implementation of the policy guideline.Practical implicationsUrban growth in Ghana is characterised by leapfrog development with many patches of undeveloped land in and around cities. The property taxation policies largely do not focus on undeveloped land or unimproved site value. In Ghana, property rate policy on the tax base excludes undeveloped land. However, government policy guidelines prescribe the charging of rent on these lands by local authorities. This paper provides a comprehensive discussion on the revenue potential of undeveloped urban land and why local government authorities have not been able to harness this potential. The paper has therefore recommended ways local authorities can use to mobilise revenue from undeveloped urban land.Originality/valueThere is limited research in rating undeveloped urban land especially looking at it from the perspective of policy and implementation as well as current practices. The paper shed light on the prevalence of undeveloped urban land and the guidelines that exist help local governments mobilise revenue from these lands. It contributes to the understanding that local government can harness the revenue potential of undeveloped land if policy design and implemented regarding these lands is enhanced. The paper also provides a good background and framework for further studies.

Evaluating the Impact of (WASH) Program on Education in the New Juaben North Municipal of Ghana: Evidence from SDA College Demonstration Basic Schools

The study assessed the causes of inefficiencies in the WASH programme at the Demonstration Basic Schools in the New Juaben North Municipal Assembly; examined the effects of the inefficiencies on the learners at the schools, and suggested appropriate strategies to improve the WASH programme. The researcher employed a qualitative approach to achieve these objectives. The population included headteachers, teachers and learners for the study. The study used purposive sampling technique to select 8 participants. This comprised three head teachers, two teachers and three learners from the school. The findings of the study showed that challenges that confront the WASH programme at the schools were inadequate water supply, poor sanitation and hygiene systems, lack of adequate handwashing points, unclean and not properly maintained toilets, lack of quality toilet facilities, lack of menstrual hygiene management (MHM), inadequate sanitary materials, and unhygienic toilet conditions. It is recommended that the government and authorities should improve the WASH system in the school. Moreover, adequate WASH facilities should be provided considering the various guidelines for WASH to ensure that facilities are adequate, sufficient, accessible, and safe for use by learners. Also, the Ghana Education Service should infuse sanitation education into the new or existing curriculum.

Digitalizing the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics at the Senior High Schools in Ghana; the Case of Flipped Classroom Approach

Introduction: The 21st century comes with its own challenges so far as the teaching and learning of mathematics is concern. This is because most of the senior students have access to digital devices that allow them to navigate the social media channels like the WhatsApp, Twiter, instagram, SnapChat, Facebook, TikTok and the likes. Unfortunately these handles are loaded with various forms of videos and other stuffs that these innocent young ones turned to love to follow more than their studies, thereby affecting their academic achievements. Purpose: The motive of this study was to enhance students’ conceptual understanding in circle theorems using the flipped classroom approach. Methodology: A sample of Fifty (50) Remedial students from the Bekwai Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region of Ghana was selected by means of purposive sampling method for the study. With the use of quasi- experimental design, a pretest post test method was use to gather the data on the students to ascertain the impact of the interventional design. In addition to the tests, a questionnaire was also used to find out how students feel about the flipped classroom pedagogy in teaching and learning. Findings: The analysis of the questionnaire came out that students enjoyed the lessons and their performance appreciated as a result. A statistical significant improvement in the students’ performance made the researcher reject the null hypothesis and concluded that flipped classroom approach impacted positively on students’ performance. Recommendations: It was therefore recommended that the flipped classroom should be adopted as one of the pedagogical strategies in teaching mathematics at the Senior High school.

Training and development methods and organizational performance: A case of the local government organization in Central Region, Ghana

Purpose: Is to investigate the relationship between training and development (T&D) methods and organizational performance in the local government sector, as well as contribute to knowledge. Research Methodology: The study employed a quantitative approach and correlation design, a census sampling method to sample 215 employees, a structured questionnaire to collect data, multiple linear regression to test hypotheses, and the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 to input, transform and analyze the data. Result: The result shows that training and development (T & D) methods (job orientation, job rotation, workshop & conference, and classroom lectures) had a significant relationship with organizational performance. The findings also revealed that training and development (T & D) methods (job orientation, workshop & conference, and classroom lectures) have a significant relationship with the quality of service delivery. However, job rotation has no relationship with quality service delivery. Limitation: The study's main weakness is that it only looked at four different training and development methods and their impact on organizational performance and service quality. Another flaw in the study is that it only looked at one metropolitan assembly. Contribution: In this regard, metropolitan and municipal assembly executives and managers should consider employing training and development methods that provide stronger predictions to boost the organization’s performance and delivery of quality services to communities. They should train and develop employees within the organization as soon as political power changes hands to enhance organization performance because policy adherence is critical to the organization's performance.

GAP FILLERS OR PIONEERS: INFORMAL WATER SUPPLIERS IN PERI-URBAN AREAS OF THE TECHIMAN MUNICIPALITY OF GHANA

There is continuous expansion and growth of urban and peri urban areas in Sub-Saharan Africa with projections indicating that this will double. Some peri-urban areas such as those in the Techiman municipality of Ghana are experiencing this trend. Nonetheless, the spate of growth of these areas outstrips the supply of utilities by municipal water distribution networks. As a result, some areas have little or no public provision. In order to address the water supply challenge, places with favourable hydrological settings are witnessing the emergence of informal water suppliers as “gap fillers” or “pioneers”, providing water services. Noteworthy, however, existing studies about informal water suppliers in peri-urban areas in Ghana lump them together, without considering the water source. This study differs in that it specifically examines the evolution and the features of informal water suppliers who privately and independently abstract and supply groundwater. Additionally, it attempts to understand the nature of informality of the suppliers and the possibility of formalisation. The paper is an exploratory study using the case of private mechanised borehole operators who supply water in their respective areas. The findings showed that in some peri-urban areas in the Techiman municipality, some dwellers constructed and operated mechanised boreholes, which provide in-situ water and utilities to others. They are mostly pioneer water suppliers in some of the areas. Their services are informal by nature because they are largely independent of the formal sector and apply informal arrangements in rendering their services. Seen also as business enterprises, they are not licenced. However, the boreholes are registered with the Municipal Assembly, which indicated some level of formalisation. The study recommended that efforts to formalise them further should focus on improving water quality monitoring for consumption and promoting sustainable abstraction.

Tax Write-Off and Remission on Revenue Mobilization in Wiawso Municipal Assembly of Ghana

The maiden budget of the Akufo-Addo administration, presented by the Finance Minister on Thursday, March 2, 2021, saw the downward revision of certain taxes while others were completely abolished. According to Public Finance General Directorate, the purpose of taxation as enshrined in the French laws is “for the maintenance of public force and administrative expenses”. The need therefore to increase internally generated funds have been at the center stage of most developing countries, as Donor Partners insist on ensuring efficiency in tax administration before loans can be granted. Against the backdrop of tax cuts announced in the 2021 budget, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of tax cuts on revenue mobilization in the Wiawso Municipal Assembly of Ghana. The study employed the purposive sampling technique, making use of a population of 50. The result of the study showed that there is a strong negative relationship between tax cuts and revenue mobilization. Hence tax cuts can be assumed to reduce revenue mobilization. It also came to light that non-compliance was the main challenge facing the revenue collectors in the Wiawso Municipality. In the light of the above, the following recommendations were made. Government should support GRA by providing the necessary resources needed by the staff to carry out their daily activities effectively. For instance, the introduction of the taxpayer identification system. Technical training should also be organized regularly for GRA staff in other to help them acquire the necessary technical skills needed to carry out their activities effectively.

Livelihood Diversification Among Indigenous Peri-Urban Women in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

Studies on peri-urban development have not paid enough attention to the strategies and dynamics of diversifying livelihoods among indigenous women in the Global South. This paper explores the dynamics of livelihood diversification strategies among indigenous women in response to peri-urban development in Wa, Ghana. The mixed-methods design guided the study, while the sample consisted 399 respondents selected from a sample frame of 1494 women. Data analyses involved descriptive statistics, non-parametric and thematic analyses. The study found that peri-urban development had led to the loss of access to farmland among indigenous women. In response, women have resorted to switching from farm-based to non-farm-based livelihoods amidst multiple production challenges.There is, therefore, the need to support the sustainability of women’s livelihoods through the Municipal Assembly and, in particular, through policy interventions such as support for skills training and financial support to enable indigenous people to make a sustainable living. Keywords: Diversification, Ghana, Livelihoods, Peri-Urbanization, Women

Awareness and Use of Food Adulterants among Food Vendors and Market Women in the Northern Part of Ghana

Ingestion of unsafe/adulterated foods is on record to have caused devastating health conditions and deaths around the world. Accordingly, an investigation to unearth this revelation is crucial in saving lives. This study, within the context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour investigated the awareness level, affordances and effects of food adulterants from the perspectives of market women and food vendors in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-method design including both questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide in data collection. Using purposive, convenience and simple random sampling techniques, 106 respondents comprising 46 food vendors and 60 market women were sampled for the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data followed the thematic approach. The study discovered that respondents were moderately aware (3.34±0.82) of the use of food adulterants. Again, factors such as, improve food colour, desire to increase profits, quest to improve food appearance, adding to weight and improvement of taste predominantly trigger food adulteration. Furthermore, the study revealed that food adulterants pose various health threats to consumers as perceived by respondents. Finally, the study established that there was no statistically significant difference between food vendors and market women on their level of awareness on the use of food adulterants [t(104)=0.670,p=0.504]. Hence, the study recommends that, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly and health directorate should embark on intensive public education campaigns to educate the entire populace to increase awareness levels and improve food safety knowledge to curtail the predominant use of food adulterants.

Stakholder Perceptions on the Prospects and Challenges of Practising Climate – Smart Agroforestry in Asunafo North Municipal Assembly, Ghana

This study assessed stakeholders’ perception on the prospects and challenges of practising Climate–Smart Agroforestry in the Asunafo North Municipal Assembly in the Ahafo Region in Ghana. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect cross-sectional data from 250 cocoa, food and cash crop farmers drawn from four (4) communities using simple random sampling. And nine (9) in-depth interviews were also conducted to elicit key stakeholder perspectives. Stakeholders also held the view that Climate-Smart Agroforestry encourages the use of stress-tolerant crop varieties, increase income, improve soil productivity, diversify farm produce, urges the reduction of input supply and recommends the timely usage of the inputs, ensures better market system for farm produce, cost of production decreases during the practice of Agroforestry, agro-ecological functions and Climate-Smart Agroforestry can best help adapt to the threats of climate change in the agriculture sector. The challenges included insecure tree ownership right, fast-declining soil fertility and long maturity period of Agroforestry trees, land tenure issues, illegal tree logging (chainsaw operators) on farms, lack of practical understanding of the approach, inadequate knowledge and information and inadequate supportive facilities in the study area. The study recommends further studies on the existing forest policy and legislations and its implications on the practice and adoption of Climate-Smart Agroforestry in respond to climate change in the area.