Dama Academic Scholarly Journal of Researchers

Adverse Effect on Informal Sector Self-Employed Workers Under the Tier-1 Scheme

2025-03-05T15:04:12+00:00

The informal sector is a vital component of Ghana’s economy, employing a significant workforce. However, self-employed workers in this sector often lack access to social security, leaving them vulnerable to financial insecurity in retirement. In response, the Ghanaian government introduced the three-tier pension system under the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766), with Tier-1 being a mandatory, state-managed pension scheme. While formal sector workers are automatically enrolled, participation among informal sector workers remains low due to various economic and structural challenges.

This study examines the adverse effects of the Tier-1 pension scheme on self-employed informal sector workers. Using a mixed-methods research approach, data was collected from self-employed individuals in Nungua and Sunyani to assess the barriers to participation and the financial implications of the scheme. The findings indicate that significant obstacles include income irregularity, lack of awareness, perceptions of high contribution rates, mistrust in the pension system, and administrative challenges. Additionally, many informal workers prefer alternative savings mechanisms over formal pension schemes due to perceived inflexibility and uncertainty in benefits.

The study recommends policy interventions such as flexible contribution models, improved public education on pension benefits, and enhanced transparency in pension fund management to increase participation and financial security for informal sector workers. Addressing these issues will make Ghana’s pension system more inclusive and sustainable.

Factors that Positively Influence the Participation of the Informal Sector Self-Employed Workers Under the Tier-1

2025-03-05T15:10:24+00:00

The informal sector plays a vital role in Ghana’s economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce. However, many self-employed workers in this sector lack social security coverage, leaving them vulnerable to financial instability in retirement. This study explores the factors that positively influence the participation of informal sector self-employed workers in Ghana’s SSNIT Tier-1 pension scheme. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from self-employed workers in Nungua and Sunyani through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions.

The findings indicate that key factors such as financial security in retirement, trust in the scheme, flexible contribution options, and peer influence positively impact participation. However, financial constraints, lack of awareness, administrative difficulties, and trust issues hinder enrollment. The study highlights the need for targeted policy interventions, including improved public education, simplified registration processes, and flexible contribution structures that align with the income patterns of informal workers.

Addressing these challenges can help policymakers and social security administrators enhance participation rates and ensure broader pension coverage for informal sector workers. Strengthening social protection mechanisms for this group is crucial for reducing economic vulnerability and promoting financial security in Ghana.

Analysis of the Proposed Model to Help Improve the Participation of Informal Self-Employed Workers Under the Tier-1 Scheme

2025-03-05T15:17:51+00:00

The participation of informal self-employed workers in Ghana’s Tier-1 pension scheme remains significantly low, exposing them to financial insecurity in old age. This study analyses the barriers to participation, assesses the adverse effects of the current pension framework on informal workers, and evaluates a proposed model to increase enrollment in the scheme. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected quantitative and qualitative data from informal self-employed workers across various occupational groups in Ghana. Statistical analysis revealed that factors such as irregular income, lack of awareness, mistrust in pension institutions, and administrative challenges are the primary deterrents to participation.

The study further found that socioeconomic characteristics, including income level, marital status, and years of self-employment, significantly influence workers’ decisions to enrol in the Tier-1 scheme. Younger and lower-income workers face more significant obstacles in regularly contributing to the scheme. To address these challenges, the study proposes a model incorporating flexible contribution schedules, simplified registration processes, financial incentives, and awareness campaigns to enhance participation rates.

The findings underscore the need for policy reforms aligning pension schemes with informal workers' financial realities. By implementing targeted interventions, policymakers and stakeholders can improve social security coverage for this crucial workforce segment. Future research should evaluate the proposed model's implementation feasibility and long-term sustainability.

Disposal of Unused Medicines in a Rural Ghanaian Household and its Effect on the Environment

2025-03-05T15:32:59+00:00

In order to ensure that medicines are readily available, affordable and accessible, the supply chain management of medicines has faced many challenges in the advent of improper medicines disposal practices, where toxins are released into the environment [1,26]. In this study, to determine the medicines disposal practices of the people of Akuse, the environmental impact of the practices and the environmentally acceptable method of medicines disposal, it was gathered that many methods are used to dispose of unused medicines by the people of Akuse. These include burning, burying in the ground, donating to family and friends, flushing down the toilet or sink, and adding to household trash. The most typical method is adding to household trash. The various environmental effects of the practices identified were seen to be harmful, such as pollution of water bodies (making water unsafe for use), aquatic life loss, soil nutritional value loss and accidental poisoning of children, mentally disabled persons and pets. The medicine take-back program - Disposal of Unused / Unwanted Medicines Program (D.U.M.P), currently practised at Cocoa Clinic (Accra-Ghana), is the environmentally acceptable means for proper medicines disposal.

Innovative Policy Approaches and Collaborations to Support Sustainable Procurement

2025-03-05T15:42:37+00:00

Sustainable procurement has the potential to drive significant economic activity towards addressing critical global issues such as resource shortages, pollution, climate change, and social inequities. Governments and businesses recognise the profound impacts of procurement on human health, social justice, and environmental integrity. Sustainable procurement practices, including environmental management systems, waste minimisation programs, and energy audits, have achieved high acceptance among manufacturing and service companies, enhancing productivity and product quality. Life cycle impacts from environmentally preferable purchasing can be substantial, with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Local governments in the United States and Canada are leveraging their purchasing power to address social issues by providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, increasing access to healthy food for low-income families, fostering diversity in contracting, and supporting minority and women-owned businesses. The economic benefits of sustainable procurement are evident, with a definite increase in valuable discussions, articles, and information concerning cleaner production over the last 25 years.

As the Regulated Green Community continues influencing businesses to provide more environmentally friendly products and services, the massive marketplace has a unique role in driving sustainable production and consumption practices worldwide.

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Techniques in Mature Reservoirs

2025-03-05T16:02:56+00:00

As global energy demands rise, the need for efficient hydrocarbon extraction from mature reservoirs has become increasingly critical. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques offer viable solutions to extend the productive life of depleted reservoirs by improving oil displacement and sweep efficiency. This study evaluates the efficiency, economic feasibility, and environmental impact of advanced EOR methods, including chemical flooding, gas injection (particularly CO₂-EOR), thermal recovery, and microbial EOR. A comprehensive analysis of case studies, numerical simulations, and laboratory experiments was conducted to assess these techniques in three mature reservoirs with varying geological conditions.

The findings highlight that thermal EOR (steam injection) demonstrated the highest recovery rates, particularly in high-temperature reservoirs, while CO₂ injection was effective in maintaining reservoir pressure and improving oil displacement. Chemical flooding showed moderate success, whereas microbial EOR had limited applicability. The study underscores the importance of tailoring EOR strategies to reservoir-specific characteristics and balancing economic and environmental considerations. Future research should focus on hybrid EOR approaches, digital reservoir modelling, and sustainable energy-driven recovery systems to optimise oil recovery while minimising environmental impact.

Weighted Least Squares Regression on User perception on Internet services by Internet Service Providers (ISP)

2025-03-05T16:25:15+00:00

This study investigates the relationship between user perception and the perceived quality of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) using Weighted Least Squares Regression (WLS). With the rapid advancement of digital technologies and the increasing importance of internet services, understanding customer satisfaction and its determinants is crucial for ISPs. The research employs a quantitative approach, collecting data from 181 students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) through a structured questionnaire. The study examines how speed, reliability, and customer assistance influence user perception and, consequently, the overall evaluation of ISP services.

The findings reveal that user perception, weighted by user ratings, has a substantial and statistically significant impact on the perceived quality of ISPs. The high R-Square value (0.807) and significant F- and t-values confirm that user perception is a substantial predictor of ISP service evaluations. Descriptive statistics indicate that respondents generally have a favorable opinion of ISPs, though there is variability in individual assessments. The study also highlights the importance of demographic factors such as gender, age, and educational qualification in shaping user perception, while the profession was insignificant.

Theoretical implications support models like SERVQUAL, emphasising the centrality of customer perception in service evaluation. The study suggests that ISPs should invest in customer care, quality improvements, and data-driven decision-making to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Socially, the findings underscore the importance of reliable internet access for digital inclusion, particularly in underserved populations. The study concludes with recommendations for future research, including using longitudinal data and machine learning techniques to explore user perception and satisfaction with ISPs further.