Pentecost University College

Poor adherence to medication is generally an important concern throughout the world, especially in people with co-morbid hypertension and diabetes, and more so when psychological distress levels are high. This study investigated the impact of psychological distress and its correlates on medication adherence, explored patient views, and focused on informing the development of a contextually adapted psychosocial intervention. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative phase involved 328 patients with co-morbid hypertension and diabetes attending the Pentecost Hospital, Madina, Ghana. Adherence to medication, the primary outcome variable, was measured using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), while the main explanatory variable, psychological distress, was measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18. Logistic regression analyses revealed predictors of each outcome. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews conducted among 28 participants with focus on non-adherence and psychological distress. The majority of the participants were female (n = 215; 65.56%) and above 60 years (n = 250; 76.21%). 37.8%(n = 124) of participants were non-adherent, and 27.7%(n = 91) experienced psychological distress. Those without psychological distress had a significantly twice greater likelihood of medication adherence than those with distress (AOR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.85; p = 0.016). The thematic findings also showed that emotional exhaustion, financial problems and complexity of regimen were major barriers, whereas family support, faith, and encouragement from provider acted as facilitators for adherence. In co-morbid hypertension and diabetes patients, psychological distress is associated with medication adherence. Integrating psychosocial support, such as family engagement, and health provider follow-up, into chronic disease management could enhance adherence and improve clinical outcomes in this population.

This research problem is Financial Technology (Fintec), Its Impact on the Banking Sector in the Ghanaian Commercial Banks. The banking sector of Ghana has evolved in several ways. The evolution of the operations of the banking sector in the Ghanaian economy has not come without its challenges. For instance, the introduction of digital currency by several global economies to provide other means of providing financial services, as an option of Traditional Banking (TB) operations is on the increase: This evolvement has had a direct impact on TB sectors to adopt a similar approach, to provide wide range of banking activities to meet different levels of customers requirement. The introduction of blockchain, and its associated technology such as cryptocurrency, provides a generally more secure way of transactions outside the TB operations. In the bid to improve the operations of the banking sector, these sectors may have to compete with the growing acceptance of the different FinTech technologies that may not be associated with mainstream banking activities. Ghana is no exception, as the Central Bank of Ghana has frantically announced the introduction of digital currency into the market. The research investigates the impact of the evolution of the Fintec Technology and its impact on the TB systems in Ghana focusing on the employee in the banking sector. The research employs a quantitative method. The research concluded that in general regulated FinTech has a positive impact on the traditional commercial banks. However, FinTech technologies, which are not within the legal regulatory framework may have a disruptive impact on the traditional commercial banks. However, resolving this requires awareness, training, and a regulatory framework to govern their activities.

This study examines the presence of folk Muslims in Ghana and explores the missiological implications for Pentecostals. Historically, Ghana was viewed as a stronghold against Islam in Africa; however, this resistance has diminished, as evidenced by the significant presence of Islam in the region. While Christian-Muslim relationships in Ghana are generally amicable, tensions, misunderstandings, and conflicts can arise when Christians share the gospel with Muslims or attempt to proselytise using local mission approaches. This research aims to raise awareness of the Muslim community in Ghana and highlight areas of misunderstanding and ignorance. By doing so, it illustrates how Pentecostals, who represent the fastest-growing segment of Christians in Ghana, can effectively and respectfully engage with Ghanaian Muslims in the context of sharing the gospel. This study integrates findings from intercultural studies, Islamic studies, Pentecostal missiology, church history, cultural anthropology, and biblical theology. A comprehensive descriptive and analytical review of existing literature illustrates that the majority of Ghanaian Muslims identify as folk Muslims—individuals who have retained certain elements of African Traditional Religion (ATR) alongside their Islamic beliefs. As a result, these folk Muslims exhibit a power-oriented disposition akin to that found in Pentecostal communities, as both groups are deeply influenced by a shared spiritual heritage rooted in ATR practices. The paper posits that this common ground presents significant opportunities for Pentecostals to engage with Muslims regarding the gospel. It delineates four distinct types of engagement: (1) theological engagement through truth encounters that emphasise grace, love, and respect, (2) relational engagement through acts of service that meet existential needs, (3) power engagement through experiential encounters that address spiritual and practical needs, and (4) discipleship engagement that highlights the transformative and sustaining power of the Holy Spirit.

Background: The global burden of cancer necessitates innovative approaches to its management and treatment. Traditional treatments like radiotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy, carry significant side effects that impact patient quality of life. Dietary fiber has attracted research interest as a potential mitigator of cancer progression and a supportive agent in cancer treatment. This bibliometric study analyzes trends in research connecting dietary fiber, cancer therapy, and gut health from April 1999 to May 2024. Methods and Results: Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were used to retrieve peer-reviewed publications from April 1999 to May 2024 on dietary fiber and cancer management. The study identifies a rising scholarly interest in dietary fiber's role in cancer management, focusing significantly on the interactions between dietary fiber and gut microbiota. These interactions are particularly noted for their influence on inflammation and cancer metastasis. The study highlights evolving research themes, the importance of specific fiber types in cancer progression, and highlights persistent foundational themes like glycosylation. Emerging areas include personalized nutrition and innovative therapeutic approaches. The geographical and institutional contributions, mainly from the United States and China, underline the significance of collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts in advancing research. Conclusion: This analysis emphasizes integrating dietary strategies in comprehensive cancer care and aims to address research gaps to develop more effective and patient-centered cancer therapy and prevention strategies.

This study examines sustainability disclosures (SD) and its influence on the value of listed firms in Ghana. In this study, we examine SD within the framework of GRI G4 Standard. Data is extracted from audited annual reports of 28 listed firms from 2010 to 2020. The study computes SD (i.e., Environmental, Social and Governance disclosures) scores using metrics in literature whilst firm value is measured by the market and book values of the firms. Findings reveal that listed firms' SD is largely driven by governance disclosures. The study also finds that SD does not significantly affect firm value. However, environmental disclosures have a positive effect on the market value of firms. The results highlight SD as a determinant of the value of listed firms. This study contributes to sustainability accounting and firm valuation literature from an emerging market context, where regulatory frameworks and reporting practices are still developing.

This study examined the drivers of financial inclusion as well as how COVID-19 affected West Africa in terms of electronic payments. It used the World Bank’s Global Findex 2021 data collected at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic with 1000 respondents each from Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Liberia and Cameroon and model logit regression to investigate the drivers of financial inclusion and how COVID-19 affected it. With regard to key drivers of financial inclusion, it found that female and lower income groups have low inclusion levels which decline when income increases; also, the more educated persons, are linked to high financial inclusion. On account ownership of mobile money, there is discrimination of financial inclusion based on sex. Distance from the office of a financial institution poses a key obstacle to financial inclusion for females and various income groups, but the cost is not a major worry. Informal financial practices are not very popular. The study found that highly educated persons used electronic payment systems to settle utility bills for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommends policies that lead people closer to financial services to reduce financial exclusion. Again, individuals should be stimulated to adopt electronic payment systems to help reduce financial exclusion. The originality of the study stems from the usage of figures provided by the World Bank’s Global Findex in 2021 which is unique in totality. This study adds to current knowledge by evaluating drivers of financial inclusion in West African countries by looking at current issues on finances focusing on the sub-region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, West Africa, Personal Characteristics, COVID-19 Pandemic

The correlation between economic growth, trade openness, and inflation has been extensively studied over the years, yielding varied outcomes. Recent disruptions caused by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have significantly affected the global economy, resulting in a notable increase in inflation rates, particularly in developing countries. This study investigates the impacts of trade openness and inflation on the Ghanaian economy from 1990 to 2022. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing for cointegration and the Granger causality test for empirical analysis, the study reveals a mixed short-term effect, showing both positive and negative impacts of trade openness and inflation on economic growth in Ghana. While no long-term effect of trade openness is observed, inflation is found to have a negative long-term influence on growth. Additionally, the results of the Granger causality test suggest a unidirectional causal relationship between trade openness and economic development.

This study aims to evaluate the factors influencing the intention and actual use of accounting software by integrating two theoretical frameworks: the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the DeLone & McLean Information System Success Model. The novelty of this research lies in the substitution of user satisfaction with trust, reflecting the role of trust in early-stage technology adoption among MSMEs. Data were collected from 385 MSME actors in Denpasar using a structured survey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, system quality, information quality, and service quality significantly influence both intention to use and trust. Moreover, trust and intention to use positively affect the actual use of accounting software. This study contributes theoretically by proposing a modified, integrative model suitable for MSME contexts, and practically by offering strategic insights for developers and policymakers aiming to foster trust-based, user-driven digital adoption. The results are expected to support inclusive and sustainable MSME digital transformation. Keywords : UTAUT, DeLone & McLean, trust, accounting software, MSMEs, PLS-SEM DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/16-9-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2025

The article examined the influence of the Ghanaian primal consciousness on Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity. Although the primal religion seems to have lost its physical presence in the Ghanaian religious space, its ideologies and tenets continue to be alive in the lives of many Pentecostal-Charismatic Christians. Relying on the researcher’s pastoral experience, personal observations and by paying attention to some sayings and proverbs of some Pentecostals, the study identified the extent to which primal consciousness affects Pentecostal Christianity in Ghana. It discovered that while some elements of the primal religion are closely related to Christianity and may thus positively affect it, others appear to be in opposition to biblical truth and may thus affect it negatively. The study posits that a good knowledge of the reality of the effect of the primal consciousness by Pentecostal-Charismatic churches would advance the Christian mission in Africa. The article adds to existing literature on the impact of the primal religion on Christianity. Keywords: Primal consciousness, Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity, Ghana, religion.