Johnie Kodjoe Nyametso

This study expanded the theory of planned behavior to understand factors affecting employee intentions and actual preparedness behaviors in the Ghanaian energy sector. The paper ascertained the effect of psychological factors on employee preparedness intentions and examined whether these factors are mediated by employee’s intentions. Instruments were developed to collect data to assess the variables of the extended theory of planned behavior. Items on the instruments to be measured were structured into three major sections; demographic information on the first part, items of attitude, response efficacy, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, risk perception, and actual preparedness behaviors on the second part and items of management commitment and management priority on the last section. A pilot test was performed on 15 employees of a sub Gas Distribution Station to determine validity and reliability of the instruments. Content validity was assessed through expert judgment. Individuals with expertise in the field of psychology examined the questionnaires and provided feedback. The instruments were self-administered and data analyzed using the structural equation modelling technique. The novel extended TPB model best-explained employee preparedness intentions and actual emergency preparedness behaviours of employees, confirming the widely held perception that psychological factors do influence employee preparedness intentions. It further suggest employee’s intentions significantly mediate relationship between psychological factors and actual preparedness behaviors. Management must periodically appraise the impact of these factors on employee’s preparedness to make timely informed decisions and may adopt the expanded model to promote employee preparedness for emergencies in the oil and gas industry.

Thermal power generation is the main source of power in the energy mix of the country. Erratic rainfall patterns, the high cost of fossil fuel for thermal generation, and increase electricity demand have contributed to rampant power outages in the recent past. This paper examined energy conservation and efficiency awareness practices of households in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. It assessed the level and variability in energy conservation practices and the level of energy-savings awareness education among households. Three hundred and ninety-six households were randomly selected from nine communities using stratified sampling techniques. Five stakeholders from the electricity sector were purposively sampled for in-depth interviews. The data sets were modeled using the utility maximization framework to econometrically estimate socioeconomic factors influencing the energy conservation behaviour of households. The findings reveal that years spent in school by household heads, income levels, expenditure, age of households, and the number of times electricity power triples off daily were among the key factors influencing individual households’ choice of energy-efficient appliances. There was significant variability between existing social strata in terms of income and use of electrical appliances among households that warrants policy direction. Based on the findings, this study recommends a robust energy literacy program to improve households’ energy efficiency practices awareness, and to ensure energy cost savings, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation that will enhance the drive towards achieving sustainable development goals seven.