PUBLICATIONS
The AGDI has published substantially in fulfillment of its mission statement of contributing to knowledge towards African development:
IDEAS
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ECONSTOR
https://www.econstor.eu/dspace/escollectionhome/10419/123513
Publication List
2015 |
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631. | Asongu, Simplice A Journal of the Knowledge Economy, pp. 1-55, 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Africa, Development, Mobile banking, Mobile phones @article{Asongu_615, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13132-015-0322-z}, doi = {10.1007/s13132-015-0322-z}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-10-01}, journal = {Journal of the Knowledge Economy}, pages = {1-55}, abstract = {Using 25 policy variables, this study investigates determinants of mobile phone/banking in 49 sub-Saharan African countries with data for the year 2011. The determinants are classified into six policy categories, notably macroeconomic, business/bank, market-related, knowledge economy, external flows and human development. The empirical evidence is based on contemporary and non-contemporary quantile regressions. The following implications are relevant to the findings. First, mobile phone penetration is positively correlated with (i) education, domestic savings, regulation quality and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of mobile penetration; (ii) bank density; (iii) urban population density and (iv) internet penetration. Second, the use of the mobile to pay bills is positively linked with (i) trade and internet penetration, especially in contemporary specifications and (ii) remittances and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of the dependent variable. Third, using the mobile to send/receive money is positively correlated with internet penetration and human development, especially in the contemporary specifications. Fourth, mobile banking is positively linked with (i) trade in contemporary specifications, (ii) remittances and patent applications at low initial levels of the dependent variable and (iii) internet penetration and human development, with contemporary threshold evidence. The policy implications are articulated with incremental policy syndromes.}, keywords = {Africa, Development, Mobile banking, Mobile phones}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Using 25 policy variables, this study investigates determinants of mobile phone/banking in 49 sub-Saharan African countries with data for the year 2011. The determinants are classified into six policy categories, notably macroeconomic, business/bank, market-related, knowledge economy, external flows and human development. The empirical evidence is based on contemporary and non-contemporary quantile regressions. The following implications are relevant to the findings. First, mobile phone penetration is positively correlated with (i) education, domestic savings, regulation quality and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of mobile penetration; (ii) bank density; (iii) urban population density and (iv) internet penetration. Second, the use of the mobile to pay bills is positively linked with (i) trade and internet penetration, especially in contemporary specifications and (ii) remittances and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of the dependent variable. Third, using the mobile to send/receive money is positively correlated with internet penetration and human development, especially in the contemporary specifications. Fourth, mobile banking is positively linked with (i) trade in contemporary specifications, (ii) remittances and patent applications at low initial levels of the dependent variable and (iii) internet penetration and human development, with contemporary threshold evidence. The policy implications are articulated with incremental policy syndromes. |
632. | Asongu, Simplice A Journal of the Knowledge Economy, pp. 1-43, 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Africa, Catch-up, Knowledge economy, South Korea @article{Asongu_616, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13132-015-0321-0}, doi = {10.1007/s13132-015-0321-0}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-10-01}, journal = {Journal of the Knowledge Economy}, pages = {1-43}, abstract = {Africa’s overall knowledge index fell between 2000 and 2009. South Korea’s economic miracle is largely due to a knowledge-based development strategy that holds valuable lessons for African countries in their current pursuit towards knowledge economies. Using updated data (1996–2010), this paper presents fresh South Korean lessons to Africa by assessing the knowledge economy (KE) gaps, deriving policy syndromes, and providing catch-up strategies. The 53 peripheral African countries are decomposed into fundamental characteristics of wealth, legal origins, regional proximity, oil-exporting, political stability, and landlockedness. The World Bank’s four KE components are used: education, innovation, information and communication technology (ICT), and economic incentives and institutional regime. Absolute beta and sigma convergence techniques are employed as empirical strategies. With the exception of ICT for which catch-up is not very apparent, in increasing order, it is visible in innovation, economic incentives, education, and institutional regime. The speed of catch-up varies between 8.66 and 30.00 % per annum with respective time to full or 100 % catch-up of 34.64 and 10 years. Based on the trends and dynamics in the KE gaps, policy syndromes and compelling catch-up strategies are discussed. Issues standing on the way to KE in Africa are dissected with great acuteness before South Korean relevant solutions are provided to both scholars and firms. The paper is original in its provision of practical policy initiatives drawn from the Korean experience to African countries embarking on a transition to KE.}, keywords = {Africa, Catch-up, Knowledge economy, South Korea}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Africa’s overall knowledge index fell between 2000 and 2009. South Korea’s economic miracle is largely due to a knowledge-based development strategy that holds valuable lessons for African countries in their current pursuit towards knowledge economies. Using updated data (1996–2010), this paper presents fresh South Korean lessons to Africa by assessing the knowledge economy (KE) gaps, deriving policy syndromes, and providing catch-up strategies. The 53 peripheral African countries are decomposed into fundamental characteristics of wealth, legal origins, regional proximity, oil-exporting, political stability, and landlockedness. The World Bank’s four KE components are used: education, innovation, information and communication technology (ICT), and economic incentives and institutional regime. Absolute beta and sigma convergence techniques are employed as empirical strategies. With the exception of ICT for which catch-up is not very apparent, in increasing order, it is visible in innovation, economic incentives, education, and institutional regime. The speed of catch-up varies between 8.66 and 30.00 % per annum with respective time to full or 100 % catch-up of 34.64 and 10 years. Based on the trends and dynamics in the KE gaps, policy syndromes and compelling catch-up strategies are discussed. Issues standing on the way to KE in Africa are dissected with great acuteness before South Korean relevant solutions are provided to both scholars and firms. The paper is original in its provision of practical policy initiatives drawn from the Korean experience to African countries embarking on a transition to KE. |
633. | Asongu, Simplice A Conditional Determinants of Mobile Phones Penetration and Mobile Banking in SubSaharan Africa 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Mobile phones; Mobile banking; Development; Africa @workingpaper{Asongu2015bl, title = {Conditional Determinants of Mobile Phones Penetration and Mobile Banking in SubSaharan Africa}, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/043}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Conditional-Determinants-of-Mobile-Phones-Penetration-and-Mobile-Banking.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-10-01}, abstract = {Using twenty-five policy variables, we investigate determinants of mobile phone/banking in 49 Sub-Saharan African countries with data for the year 2011. The determinants are classified into six policy categories, notably: macroeconomic, business/bank, market-related, knowledge economy, external flows and human development. The empirical evidence is based on contemporary and non-contemporary Quantile regressions. The following implications are relevant to the findings. First, mobile phone penetration is positively correlated with: (i) education, domestic savings, regulation quality and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of mobile penetration; (ii) bank density; (iii) urban population density and (iv) internet penetration. Second, the use of the mobile to pay bills is positively linked with: (i) trade and internet penetration, especially in contemporary specifications and (ii) remittances and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of the dependent variable. Third, using the mobile to send/receive money is positively correlated with: internet penetration and human development, especially in the contemporary specifications. Fourth, mobile banking is positively linked with: (i) trade in contemporary specifications; (ii) remittances and patent applications at low initial levels of the dependent variable and (iii) internet penetration and human development, with contemporary threshold evidence. The policy implications are articulated with incremental policy syndromes.}, keywords = {Mobile phones; Mobile banking; Development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } Using twenty-five policy variables, we investigate determinants of mobile phone/banking in 49 Sub-Saharan African countries with data for the year 2011. The determinants are classified into six policy categories, notably: macroeconomic, business/bank, market-related, knowledge economy, external flows and human development. The empirical evidence is based on contemporary and non-contemporary Quantile regressions. The following implications are relevant to the findings. First, mobile phone penetration is positively correlated with: (i) education, domestic savings, regulation quality and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of mobile penetration; (ii) bank density; (iii) urban population density and (iv) internet penetration. Second, the use of the mobile to pay bills is positively linked with: (i) trade and internet penetration, especially in contemporary specifications and (ii) remittances and patent applications, especially at low initial levels of the dependent variable. Third, using the mobile to send/receive money is positively correlated with: internet penetration and human development, especially in the contemporary specifications. Fourth, mobile banking is positively linked with: (i) trade in contemporary specifications; (ii) remittances and patent applications at low initial levels of the dependent variable and (iii) internet penetration and human development, with contemporary threshold evidence. The policy implications are articulated with incremental policy syndromes. |
634. | Asongu, Vanessa Tchamyou Simplice S A The Impact of Entrepreneurship on Knowledge Economy in Africa 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Entrepreneurship; Knowledge Economy; Development; Africa @workingpaper{Asongu2015bm, title = {The Impact of Entrepreneurship on Knowledge Economy in Africa}, author = {Vanessa Tchamyou S Simplice A. Asongu}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/044}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/The-Impact-of-Entrepreneurship-on-Knowledge-Economy-in-Africa.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-10-01}, abstract = {Purpose - The paper assesses how entrepreneurship affects knowledge economy (KE) in Africa. Design/methodology/approach – Entrepreneurship is measured by indicators of starting, doing and ending business. The four dimensions of the World Bank’s index of KE are employed. Instrumental variable panel fixed effects are applied on a sampled of 53 African countries for the period 1996-2010. Findings –The following are some findings. First, creating an enabling environment for starting business can substantially boost most dimensions of KE. Second, doing business through mechanisms of trade globalisation has positive effects from sectors that are not ICT and High-tech oriented. Third, the time required to end business has negative effects on KE. Practical implications – Our findings confirm the narrative that the technology in African countries at the moment may be more imitative and adaptive for reverse-engineering in ICTs and high-tech products. Given the massive consumption of ICT and high-tech commodities in Africa, the continent has to start thinking of how to participate in the global value chain of producing what it consumes. Originality/value – This paper has a twofold motivation. First, given the ambitions of African countries of moving towards knowledge based economies, the line of inquiry is timely. Second, investigating the nexus may have substantial poverty mitigation and sustainable development implications. These entail inter alia: the development of technology with value-added services; enhancement of existing agricultural practices; promotion of conditions that are essential for competitiveness and adjustment of globalization challenges.}, keywords = {Entrepreneurship; Knowledge Economy; Development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } Purpose - The paper assesses how entrepreneurship affects knowledge economy (KE) in Africa. Design/methodology/approach – Entrepreneurship is measured by indicators of starting, doing and ending business. The four dimensions of the World Bank’s index of KE are employed. Instrumental variable panel fixed effects are applied on a sampled of 53 African countries for the period 1996-2010. Findings –The following are some findings. First, creating an enabling environment for starting business can substantially boost most dimensions of KE. Second, doing business through mechanisms of trade globalisation has positive effects from sectors that are not ICT and High-tech oriented. Third, the time required to end business has negative effects on KE. Practical implications – Our findings confirm the narrative that the technology in African countries at the moment may be more imitative and adaptive for reverse-engineering in ICTs and high-tech products. Given the massive consumption of ICT and high-tech commodities in Africa, the continent has to start thinking of how to participate in the global value chain of producing what it consumes. Originality/value – This paper has a twofold motivation. First, given the ambitions of African countries of moving towards knowledge based economies, the line of inquiry is timely. Second, investigating the nexus may have substantial poverty mitigation and sustainable development implications. These entail inter alia: the development of technology with value-added services; enhancement of existing agricultural practices; promotion of conditions that are essential for competitiveness and adjustment of globalization challenges. |
635. | Asongu, Vanessa Tchamyou Simplice S A Foreign aid, education and lifelong learning in Africa 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Lifelong learning; Foreign aid; Development; Africa @workingpaper{Asongu2015bn, title = {Foreign aid, education and lifelong learning in Africa}, author = {Vanessa Tchamyou S Simplice A. Asongu}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/047}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Foreign-aid-education-and-lifelong-learning-in-Africa.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-10-01}, abstract = {This study investigates the effect of foreign aid on education and lifelong learning in 53 African countries for the period 1996-2010. Three main issues are assessed, notably: (i) the effect of aid on education; (ii) the incremental impact of aid on education and (iii) the effect of aid on lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is measured as the combined knowledge acquired during the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Foreign aid dynamics include: Total aid, aid from Multilateral Donors (MD) and aid from the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) countries. The empirical evidence is based on an endogeneity-robust Generalized Method of Moments. The following findings are established. First, the aid variables have positive effects on primary school enrolment and lifelong learning, with the exception of aid from MD which positively affects only lifelong learning. Second, the positive effect on primary school enrolment consistently has a higher magnitude compared to the corresponding impact on lifelong learning. Third, the effects of aid dynamics on secondary and tertiary school enrolments are not significant. We also contribute to the literature by proposing an indicator of lifelong learning for developing}, keywords = {Lifelong learning; Foreign aid; Development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } This study investigates the effect of foreign aid on education and lifelong learning in 53 African countries for the period 1996-2010. Three main issues are assessed, notably: (i) the effect of aid on education; (ii) the incremental impact of aid on education and (iii) the effect of aid on lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is measured as the combined knowledge acquired during the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Foreign aid dynamics include: Total aid, aid from Multilateral Donors (MD) and aid from the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) countries. The empirical evidence is based on an endogeneity-robust Generalized Method of Moments. The following findings are established. First, the aid variables have positive effects on primary school enrolment and lifelong learning, with the exception of aid from MD which positively affects only lifelong learning. Second, the positive effect on primary school enrolment consistently has a higher magnitude compared to the corresponding impact on lifelong learning. Third, the effects of aid dynamics on secondary and tertiary school enrolments are not significant. We also contribute to the literature by proposing an indicator of lifelong learning for developing |
636. | Asongu, Simplice A African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 6 (3), pp. 225-250, 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Africa, Causality, Human Capital, investment, Productivity @article{Asongu_620, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-12-2012-0083}, doi = {10.1108/AJEMS-12-2012-0083}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-09-01}, journal = {African Journal of Economic and Management Studies}, volume = {6}, number = {3}, pages = {225-250}, abstract = {Purpose – The generation is witnessing the greatest demographic transition and Africa is at the heart of it. There is mounting concern over corresponding rising unemployment and depleting per capita income. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues from a long-run perspective by assessing the relationships between population growth and a plethora of investment dynamics: public, private, foreign and domestic investments. Design/methodology/approach – Vector autoregressive models in the perspectives of vector error correction and short-run Granger causality are used. Findings – In the long-run population growth will: first, decrease foreign and public investments in Ivory Coast; second, increase public and private investments in Swaziland; three, deplete public investment but augment domestic investment in Zambia; fourth diminish private investment and improve domestic investment in the Congo Republic and Sudan, respectively. Practical implications – Mainstream positive linkage of population growth to investment growth in the long-term should be treated with extreme caution. Policy orientation should not be blanket, but contingent on country-specific trends and tailored differently across countries. The findings stress the need for the creation of a conducive investment climate (and ease of doing business) for private and foreign investments. Family planning and birth control policies could also be considered in countries with little future investment avenues. Originality/value – The objective of this study is to provide policy makers with some insights on how future investment opportunities could help manage rising population growth and corresponding unemployment.}, keywords = {Africa, Causality, Human Capital, investment, Productivity}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Purpose – The generation is witnessing the greatest demographic transition and Africa is at the heart of it. There is mounting concern over corresponding rising unemployment and depleting per capita income. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues from a long-run perspective by assessing the relationships between population growth and a plethora of investment dynamics: public, private, foreign and domestic investments. Design/methodology/approach – Vector autoregressive models in the perspectives of vector error correction and short-run Granger causality are used. Findings – In the long-run population growth will: first, decrease foreign and public investments in Ivory Coast; second, increase public and private investments in Swaziland; three, deplete public investment but augment domestic investment in Zambia; fourth diminish private investment and improve domestic investment in the Congo Republic and Sudan, respectively. Practical implications – Mainstream positive linkage of population growth to investment growth in the long-term should be treated with extreme caution. Policy orientation should not be blanket, but contingent on country-specific trends and tailored differently across countries. The findings stress the need for the creation of a conducive investment climate (and ease of doing business) for private and foreign investments. Family planning and birth control policies could also be considered in countries with little future investment avenues. Originality/value – The objective of this study is to provide policy makers with some insights on how future investment opportunities could help manage rising population growth and corresponding unemployment. |
637. | Asongu, Simplice A South African Journal of Economics, 83 (3), pp. 425–451, 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Welfare;banking;liberalisation;shadow economy;Africa @article{Asongu_621, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/saje.12048/abstract?userIsAuthenticated=false&deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=}, doi = {10.1111/saje.12048}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-09-01}, journal = {South African Journal of Economics}, volume = {83}, number = {3}, pages = {425–451}, abstract = {This paper investigates how financial, trade, institutional and political liberalisation policies have affected financial sector competition in Africa using updated data to appraise second-generation reforms. The “freedom to trade” and “economic freedom” indices are employed. Hitherto, unexplored financial sector concepts of formalisation, semi-formalisation, informalisation and non-formalisation are also introduced. The following findings are established. First, relative to money supply, (i) with the exception of the economic freedom mechanism, liberalisation policies have generally decreased the growth of the formal financial sector to the benefit of other financial sectors; (ii) apart from the foreign direct investment and economic freedom channels, liberalisation policies have been fruitful for semi-formal financial development at the cost of other financial sectors and; (iii) with the exception of economic freedom, both the informal and non-formal sectors have developed owing to liberalisation to the detriment of the formal financial sector. Second, relative to gross domestic product, the semi-formal, informal and/or non-formal financial sectors have also generally improved as a result of liberalisation. Policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {Welfare;banking;liberalisation;shadow economy;Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper investigates how financial, trade, institutional and political liberalisation policies have affected financial sector competition in Africa using updated data to appraise second-generation reforms. The “freedom to trade” and “economic freedom” indices are employed. Hitherto, unexplored financial sector concepts of formalisation, semi-formalisation, informalisation and non-formalisation are also introduced. The following findings are established. First, relative to money supply, (i) with the exception of the economic freedom mechanism, liberalisation policies have generally decreased the growth of the formal financial sector to the benefit of other financial sectors; (ii) apart from the foreign direct investment and economic freedom channels, liberalisation policies have been fruitful for semi-formal financial development at the cost of other financial sectors and; (iii) with the exception of economic freedom, both the informal and non-formal sectors have developed owing to liberalisation to the detriment of the formal financial sector. Second, relative to gross domestic product, the semi-formal, informal and/or non-formal financial sectors have also generally improved as a result of liberalisation. Policy implications are discussed. |
638. | Kodila-Tedika, Simplice Asongu & Florentin Azia-Dimbu Oasis A Statistics and IQ in Developing Countries: A Note 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Statistics; Intelligence; Developing countries @workingpaper{Kodila-Tedika2015bb, title = {Statistics and IQ in Developing Countries: A Note}, author = {Simplice Asongu & Florentin Azia-Dimbu A Oasis Kodila-Tedika}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/030}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Statistics-and-IQ-in-Developing-Countries.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-09-01}, abstract = {The purpose of this study is to assess the nexus between intelligence (or human capital) and statistical capacity in developing countries. The line of inquiry is motivated essentially by: (i) the scarce literature devoted to elucidating poor statistics in developing countries and (ii) an evolving stream of literature on knowledge economy. We have established a positive association between intelligence quotient (IQ) and statistical capacity. The relationship is: (i) consistent with the employment of alternative specifications based on varying conditioning information sets and (ii) robust to the control of outliers. Policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {Statistics; Intelligence; Developing countries}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } The purpose of this study is to assess the nexus between intelligence (or human capital) and statistical capacity in developing countries. The line of inquiry is motivated essentially by: (i) the scarce literature devoted to elucidating poor statistics in developing countries and (ii) an evolving stream of literature on knowledge economy. We have established a positive association between intelligence quotient (IQ) and statistical capacity. The relationship is: (i) consistent with the employment of alternative specifications based on varying conditioning information sets and (ii) robust to the control of outliers. Policy implications are discussed. |
639. | Asongu, John Ssozi Simplice A When is Foreign Aid Effective in Fighting Terrorism? Threshold Evidence 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Foreign aid; Terrorism; Quantile regression @workingpaper{Asongu2015bo, title = {When is Foreign Aid Effective in Fighting Terrorism? Threshold Evidence}, author = {John Ssozi Simplice A. Asongu}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/031}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/When-is-Foreign-Aid-Effective-in-Fighting-Terrorism.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-09-01}, abstract = {Building on previous literature, we assess when foreign aid is effective in fighting terrorism using quantile regressions on a panel of 78 developing countries for the period 1984-2008. Bilteral, multilateral and total aid indicators are used whereas terrorism includes: domestic, transnational, unclear and total terrorism dynamics. We consistently establish that foreign aid (bilateral, multilateral and total) is effective at fighting terrorism exclusively in countries where existing levels of transnational terrorism are highest. This finding is consistent with our theoretical underpinnings because donors have been documented to allocate more aid towards fighting transnational terrorist activities in recipient countries because they are more likely to target their interests. Moreover, the propensity of donor interest at stake is likely to increase with initial levels of transnational terrorism, such that the effect of foreign aid is most significant in recipient countries with the highest levels of transnational terrorism. Policy implications and future research directions are discussed.}, keywords = {Foreign aid; Terrorism; Quantile regression}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } Building on previous literature, we assess when foreign aid is effective in fighting terrorism using quantile regressions on a panel of 78 developing countries for the period 1984-2008. Bilteral, multilateral and total aid indicators are used whereas terrorism includes: domestic, transnational, unclear and total terrorism dynamics. We consistently establish that foreign aid (bilateral, multilateral and total) is effective at fighting terrorism exclusively in countries where existing levels of transnational terrorism are highest. This finding is consistent with our theoretical underpinnings because donors have been documented to allocate more aid towards fighting transnational terrorist activities in recipient countries because they are more likely to target their interests. Moreover, the propensity of donor interest at stake is likely to increase with initial levels of transnational terrorism, such that the effect of foreign aid is most significant in recipient countries with the highest levels of transnational terrorism. Policy implications and future research directions are discussed. |
640. | Koomson, Simplice Asongu Isaac A 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Altruistic, Child labour, Farm income, Non-Altruistic, Non-Farm income @workingpaper{Koomson2015, title = {Relative Contribution of Child Labour to Household Farm and Non-Farm Income in Ghana: Simulation with Child's Education}, author = {Simplice Asongu A Isaac Koomson}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/032}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Relative-Contribution-of-Child-Labour-to-Household-Farm-and-Non-Farm.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-09-01}, abstract = {Child labourers play an integral role in households’ income diversification process by contributing to farm and non-farm incomes but policies, including that of the ILO have focused largely on eliminating child labour from the agricultural sector through education. This study sought to ascertain the relative contribution of child labourers to farm and non-farm income using the GLSS6 data and employed a SUR estimation that simulated, empirically, with child’s education. Findings showed that as a child labourer spends more time in school, every Gh₵1.00 contributed to farm income is accompanied by a Gh₵2.12 contribution towards non-farm income. By implication, child education policy removes child labourers from the farm but are likely to have a paradoxical effect of pushing these children into non-farm activities as they engage in them after school and during weekends. The suggestion is that governments must provide adequate remuneration for workers and pay a good price for agricultural products so that households do not use children as instruments to diversity their income portfolios, since child labour acts as a push factor in the diversification process.}, keywords = {Altruistic, Child labour, Farm income, Non-Altruistic, Non-Farm income}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } Child labourers play an integral role in households’ income diversification process by contributing to farm and non-farm incomes but policies, including that of the ILO have focused largely on eliminating child labour from the agricultural sector through education. This study sought to ascertain the relative contribution of child labourers to farm and non-farm income using the GLSS6 data and employed a SUR estimation that simulated, empirically, with child’s education. Findings showed that as a child labourer spends more time in school, every Gh₵1.00 contributed to farm income is accompanied by a Gh₵2.12 contribution towards non-farm income. By implication, child education policy removes child labourers from the farm but are likely to have a paradoxical effect of pushing these children into non-farm activities as they engage in them after school and during weekends. The suggestion is that governments must provide adequate remuneration for workers and pay a good price for agricultural products so that households do not use children as instruments to diversity their income portfolios, since child labour acts as a push factor in the diversification process. |