Papers by DERICK TAYLOR ADU
International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2017
In the wake of numerous educational policies and huge education investments in Ghana, it is imper... more In the wake of numerous educational policies and huge education investments in Ghana, it is imperative to investigate the effect of education on economic growth. Using the autoregressive distributed lag approach to co-integration we find that in the short-run primary/basic education has a significant positive impact on economic growth. In the long-run, both primary and secondary educations have a positive impact on economic growth. Tertiary education has no significant effect on economic growth both in the short-run and long-run. Furthermore, government expenditure on education has no statistically significant effect on economic growth which could imply that the expenditure is not directed towards the quality of education but rather quantity (enrolment). We conclude that educational policies should focus not only on the basic and secondary education but also the tertiary education, incorporating research and development into the curricula, and government expenditure should be directed towards the quality of education.
European Journal of Business and Management, 2016
This study sought to assess the effect of inflation on financial sector performance by employing ... more This study sought to assess the effect of inflation on financial sector performance by employing panel data from five Ghanaian banks with reference period from 2004 to 2013. Pooled, random effects and generalized method of moment (GMM) models were employed to estimate the effect of inflation on performance of the financial sector. The quadratic function was employed to estimate threshold beyond which it is detrimental to the performance of the financial sector. The study concludes that inflation in the Ghanaian economy will continue to have a positive effect on financial sector development unless it reaches a threshold of 15 percent. The study recommends a threshold level not above 15 percent of inflation to accelerate the development of the financial sector. Keywords: inflation, performance, financial sector, panel data, Ghana
Cogent Economics & Finance, 2018
The contentious effect of foreign aid on real exchange rate in developing countries leading to Du... more The contentious effect of foreign aid on real exchange rate in developing countries leading to Dutch disease necessitates further research since its impact can only be determined empirically. Using annual data gathered from the World Bank Development Index database with reference period of 1980 to 2016, we test the Dutch disease hypothesis by empirically examining the effect of foreign aid on real exchange rate in Ghana. Contrary to the findings of studies which establish non-existence of Dutch disease in Ghana, the empirical results of this study reveal otherwise, both in the short-run and long-run. To mitigate Dutch disease menace in Ghana, it is important that the country utilize its ideal productive capacity to cushion its aid-induced increased demand.
Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2017
This study analyses cocoa farmers' perception on climate change and adaptation strategies in the ... more This study analyses cocoa farmers' perception on climate change and adaptation strategies in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Better understanding of these perceptions would help identify knowledge gaps of cocoa farmers on climate change, and would help equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills on climate change and improve cocoa yields. The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 240 cocoa farmers selected from six cocoa growing communities. Logit model is used to estimate factors influencing climate change adaptation strategies among cocoa farmers in the study area. The results of the study reveal that cocoa farmers perceive longterm changes in climatic variables which indicate their awareness of climate change and the impact on cocoa production. The adaptation strategies use by cocoa farmers in the study area includes planting of improved varieties of cocoa, increasing pesticide and fertilizer application, crop diversification, diversification to non-farm activities and planting of trees for shade. Gender, marital status, educational level, household size, engagement in other economic activities, farming experience, access to extension services, access to credit/loan, and cocoa income influence the cocoa farmers' choice of adaptation strategies. The study suggests that the government of Ghana should
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2016
Smallholder rice farmers in the Upper East Region of Ghana lack access to credit and this can hin... more Smallholder rice farmers in the Upper East Region of Ghana lack access to credit and this can hinder adoption of technologies introduced in the region, eventually impacting on productivity of rice which is one of the major cereals cultivated and consumed in Ghana. A total of 140 rice farmers Original Research Article
SpringerPlus, 2016
Pesticides are a significant component of the modern agricultural technology that has been widely... more Pesticides are a significant component of the modern agricultural technology that has been widely adopted across the globe to control pests, diseases, weeds and other plant pathogens, in an effort to reduce or eliminate yield losses and maintain high product quality. Although pesticides are said to be toxic and exposes farmers to risk due to the hazardous effects of these chemicals, pesticide use among cocoa farmers in Ghana is still high. Furthermore, cocoa farmers do not apply pesticide on their cocoa farms at the recommended frequency of application. In view of this, the study assessed the factors influencing cocoa farmers' decision to use pesticide and frequency of pesticide application. A total of 240 cocoa farmers from six cocoa growing communities in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana were selected for the study using the multi-stage sampling technique. The Probit and Tobit regression models were used to estimate factors influencing farmers' decision to use pesticide and frequency of pesticide application, respectively. Results of the study revealed that the use of pesticide is still high among farmers in the Region and that cocoa farmers do not follow the Ghana Cocoa Board recommended frequency of pesticide application. In addition, cocoa farmers in the study area were found to be using both Ghana Cocoa Board approved/recommended and unapproved pesticides for cocoa production. Gender, age, educational level, years of farming experience, access to extension service, availability of agrochemical shop and access to credit significantly influenced farmers' decision to use pesticides. Also, educational level, years of farming experience, membership of farmer based organisation, access to extension service, access to credit and cocoa income significantly influenced frequency of pesticide application. Since access to extension service is one key factor that reduces pesticide use and frequency of application among cocoa farmers, it is recommended that policies by government and non-governmental organisations should be aimed at mobilizing resources towards the expansion of extension education. In addition, extension service should target younger farmers as well as provide information on alternative pest control methods in order to reduce pesticide use among cocoa farmers. Furthermore, extension service/agents should target cocoa farmers with less years of farming experience and encourage cocoa farmers to join farmer based organisations in order to decrease frequency of pesticide application.
SpringerPlus, 2016
Background Agriculture has been the key player in Ghana's economic growth and development since i... more Background Agriculture has been the key player in Ghana's economic growth and development since independence (Mahrizal et al. 2014). It employs about 70 % of the labour force in Ghana, accounts for about 30 % of Ghana's GDP and contributes about 60 % of foreign exchange earnings through export (Ayisu 2008; ISSER 2010). Cocoa, coffee, oil palm and rubber are the main cash crops and agricultural export commodities in Ghana. Among these
Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 2017
Abstract Climate change is adversely affecting smallholder farming households in Africa and in pa... more Abstract Climate change is adversely affecting smallholder farming households in Africa and in particular in Ghana because their activity depends on climate-regulated water resources. This study examined the vulnerability of smallholder maize farming households to climate change in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana by employing the Livelihood Vulnerability Index with particular emphasis on access to and utilization of water resources. The primary data were based on 150 maize farming households, complemented by secondary data on rainfall and temperature over the period 1983–2013. To assess the climate change effects and related vulnerability, a comparative analysis was performed for the Wenchi and Techiman municipalities in the Brong-Ahafo region. The empirical results revealed that farming households in Wenchi municipality were more vulnerable to climate change and weather variability in terms of food, water, and health than those in Techiman municipality. Furthermore, farming households in Wenchi municipality were more vulnerable in terms of adaptive capacity, taking into account the socio-demographic aspects, social networks, and livelihoods of households in the municipality than those in Techiman municipality. These results have implications for the initiation and implementation of climate change adaptation and household resilience projects by the government, donor agencies, and other related organizations in the two municipalities in the region.
The contentious effect of foreign aid on real exchange rate in developing countries leading to Du... more The contentious effect of foreign aid on real exchange rate in developing countries leading to Dutch disease necessitates further research since its impact can only be determined empirically. Using annual data gathered from the World Bank Development Index database with reference period of 1980 to 2016, we test the Dutch disease hypothesis by empirically examining the effect of foreign aid on real exchange rate in Ghana. Contrary to the findings of studies which establish non-existence of Dutch disease in Ghana, the empirical results of this study reveal otherwise, both in the short-run and long-run. To mitigate Dutch disease menace in Ghana, it is important that the country utilize its ideal productive capacity to cushion its aid-induced increased demand.
This study sought to assess the effect of inflation on financial sector performance by employing ... more This study sought to assess the effect of inflation on financial sector performance by employing panel data from five Ghanaian banks with reference period from 2004 to 2013. Pooled, random effects and generalized method of moment (GMM) models were employed to estimate the effect of inflation on performance of the financial sector. The quadratic function was employed to estimate threshold beyond which it is detrimental to the performance of the financial sector. The study concludes that inflation in the Ghanaian economy will continue to have a positive effect on financial sector development unless it reaches a threshold of 15 percent. The study recommends a threshold level not above 15 percent of inflation to accelerate the development of the financial sector.
Climate change is adversely affecting smallholder farming households in Africa and in particular ... more Climate change is adversely affecting smallholder farming households in Africa and in particular in Ghana because their activity depends on climate-regulated water resources. This study examined the vulnerability of smallholder maize farming households to climate change in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana by employing the Livelihood Vulnerability Index with particular emphasis on access to and utilization of water resources. The primary data were based on 150 maize farming households, complemented by secondary data on rainfall and temperature over the period 1983e2013. To assess the climate change effects and related vulnerability, a comparative analysis was performed for the Wenchi and Techiman municipalities in the Brong-Ahafo region. The empirical results revealed that farming households in Wenchi municipality were more vulnerable to climate change and weather variability in terms of food, water, and health than those in Techiman municipality. Furthermore, farming households in Wenchi municipality were more vulnerable in terms of adaptive capacity, taking into account the socio-demographic aspects, social networks, and livelihoods of households in the municipality than those in Techiman municipality. These results have implications for the initiation and implementation of climate change adaptation and household resilience projects by the government, donor agencies, and other related organizations in the two municipalities in the region.
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Papers by DERICK TAYLOR ADU