PurposeResources as well as the capacity to employ them judiciously may well be the key to the attainment of the SDGs and other related health goals through primary health care (PHC). Within this PHC framework, however, the source of resources for PHC as well as the systems for managing these associated resources remain unclear, complex and lack substantive integration systems of implementing ministries, departments and agencies (both local and international) in Ghana. These issues are addressed by this study.Design/methodology/approachThe framework approach to thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data collected from key PHC managers in Ghana selected purposively from the national, regional and district levels. Data were collected through in-depth interviews specially designed in line with the study objectives. The study was also governed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research which provided ethical clearance for the study.FindingsAs per Alma Ata's recommendation, PHC in its purest form is a resource dense activity with far-reaching implications on individuals and communities. Without adequate resources, PHC implementation remained merely on paper. Findings show that the key capacities required for PHC implementation were finance, human resource, technology and logistics. While significant cases of shortages and inadequacies were evident, management and maintenance of these capacities appeared to be another significant determinant of PHC implementation. Additionally, the poor allocation, distribution and sustainability of these capacities had a negative effect on PHC outcomes with more resources being concentrated in capital towns than in rural areas.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has significant implications on the way PHC is seen, implemented and assessed not in Ghana but in other developing countries. In addition to examining the nature and extent of capacities required for PHC implementation, it gives significant pathways on how limited resources, when properly managed, may catalyse the attainment of the PHC goals. Subsequently, PHC implementation will profit from stakeholder attention and further research into practical ways of ensuring efficiency in the allocation, distribution and management of resources especially considering the limited resources available and the budding constraints associated with the dependency on external stakeholders for PHC implementation.Originality/valueThis study is part of a series on PHC implementation in Ghana. Quite apart from putting core implementation issues into perspective, it presents first-hand information on Ghana's PHC implementation journey and is thus relevant for researchers, students, practitioners and the wider public.

Previous studies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have concentrated on their contribution to the economy, treating such businesses as aggregate and homogeneous. What is lacking is studies on micro-enterprises, especially women’s street food vending, and the factors that influence their success. This study aims to examine the context-specific factors that influence the success of women-owned street food vending businesses in the Accra Metropolis. An informal sector success framework is built to derive appropriate factors based on theoretical and empirical literature. A cross-sectional survey design is used, involving quantitative primary data collected from a sample of 300 women street food vendors. The findings of the study indicate key success determining factors such as business experience, difficulty in food preparation, difficulty in obtaining key raw material and the age of the respondents. From the results, the business characteristics of women’s experience indicate that those with longer periods of engagement in business have a greater likelihood of success. There is evidence that, the difficulty in obtaining key raw materials due to seasonal changes and limited access to storage facilities, however, translates into limited opportunities for the success of these women-owned street food businesses. Capital constraints do not seem important in determining the success of food vending micro-enterprises, thus not supporting the resource-based theory of business growth. In terms of individual socio-cultural characteristics, the study again revealed that married street food vendors are constrained by family and community responsibilities, hindering the full realization of business growth. The results show that the age of the women in the business is a relevant success factor. This is the first study in Ghana to show that the individual, family and community features of women influence the success of micro-enterprises. The findings of this study provide useful information for policymakers to address the relevant constraints faced by these women vendors by minimizing the difficulty in getting key raw materials, which is sometimes due to financial and seasonal factors.

PurposeThis study examined the governance and implementation of public–private partnership (PPP) based on the management contract model in the water sector in rural Ghana.Design/methodology/approachIt employed in-depth interviews with key management officials and focus-group discussions among residents in selected water-stressed communities in the beneficiary District Assemblies. Thematic analysis was employed for the analyses.FindingsThe governance of the PPP project was characterized by a well-structured institutional arrangement and effective governance mechanisms. The PPP project has increased residents' access to potable and affordable water and facilitated local economic and social development in its catchment areas. However, insufficient funding, political interference, limited infrastructural capacity and pollution are threatening its success.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature on effective governance and performance of rural-based PPP water supply projects for the achievement of the sustainable development goals goal six on access to affordable and quality water.