R&P Entries
Conferences/Workshop/Symposia/Seminar with Presentations
Yalley, P. P., Osei-Poku, M. and Zievie, P.
4th conference on Sustainability Construction Materials and Technology (SCMT4). Las Vegas, USA August 7-11, 2016
Paper presented:
Predicting the Effect of Palm Bunch Fibres on the Strength Properties of Concrete
Abstract
This research describes experimental studies on the use of palm bunch fibre as enhancement of concrete. The addition of palm bunch-fibres significantly improved many of the engineering properties of the concrete, notably toughness and tensile strength. The ability to resist cracking and spalling were also enhanced. However, the addition of fibres adversely affected the compressive strength. An increase in fibre weight fraction provided a consistent increase in ductility up to the optimum content (0.5%) with corresponding fibre aspect ratio of 125. The increase in toughness, could be attributed to the fact that, the fibre presence in the concrete contributed greatly in offering restrain to early twist in the concrete hence, much energy was needed to debond and stretch the fibres. Palm bunch fibres have been used to enhance concrete, and have proven to improve the toughness and the tensile stress of the concrete of which concrete with fibres as enhancement seems to address. However, the problem of long term durability has not yet been solved in this study. Keywords: palm bunch fibres; compression and tensile strengths; torsion; toughness
This research describes experimental studies on the use of palm bunch fibre as enhancement of concrete. The addition of palm bunch-fibres significantly improved many of the engineering properties of the concrete, notably toughness and tensile strength. The ability to resist cracking and spalling were also enhanced. However, the addition of fibres adversely affected the compressive strength. An increase in fibre weight fraction provided a consistent increase in ductility up to the optimum content (0.5%) with corresponding fibre aspect ratio of 125. The increase in toughness, could be attributed to the fact that, the fibre presence in the concrete contributed greatly in offering restrain to early twist in the concrete hence, much energy was needed to debond and stretch the fibres. Palm bunch fibres have been used to enhance concrete, and have proven to improve the toughness and the tensile stress of the concrete of which concrete with fibres as enhancement seems to address. However, the problem of long term durability has not yet been solved in this study. Keywords: palm bunch fibres; compression and tensile strengths; torsion; toughness
Brako, I & Amoko Gyampah, A. K.
4th Social Science International Conference. University of Education, Winneba. Ghana. 15-16th March 2016.
Paper presented:
Turbulence and Tranquillity: Maintaining Industrial Peace in Ghana’s Fourth Republic
Abstract
Successive governments have since Ghana’s independence made various attempts to maintain industrial harmony. The attainment of this single laudable goal has been illusive as labour agitations for improved conditions by public sector workers continually welcome every government that comes to power. With the passing of the Labour Act and the subsequent establishment of the labour Commission one would have thought that the remedy to the age-long debacle had been found and such agitations were going to be a thing of the past. But that has not been the case. The struggle continues as if no serious attempts have been made to find a lasting solution to the problem. This paper examines events in the industrial front in Ghana’s Fourth Republic using the lenses of the unitarist and pluralist theories of industrial relations.
Successive governments have since Ghana’s independence made various attempts to maintain industrial harmony. The attainment of this single laudable goal has been illusive as labour agitations for improved conditions by public sector workers continually welcome every government that comes to power. With the passing of the Labour Act and the subsequent establishment of the labour Commission one would have thought that the remedy to the age-long debacle had been found and such agitations were going to be a thing of the past. But that has not been the case. The struggle continues as if no serious attempts have been made to find a lasting solution to the problem. This paper examines events in the industrial front in Ghana’s Fourth Republic using the lenses of the unitarist and pluralist theories of industrial relations.
Brako, I
2016 School of Social Sciences international Conference on Social Sciences, Good Governance and Sustainable Development Goals. IISSER Conference Facility, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 14th -15th April 2016
Paper presented:
Re-emergence of Military Coups d’etat in Africa: Lessons for Ghana’s Fledging Democracy
Abstract
Ghana, like many other African states, was caught in the throes of military coups d’état, counter coups, abortive coups and coup plots. The phenomenon, which was rife during the 1960s through the 1980s, subsided and seemed to have disappeared from the continent with the wind of democratization sweeping across the globe which brought in its wake transitions from military dictatorships to democratic rule. Corruption, constitutional crisis, ethnocentrism and bad governance are some of the prime factors the military adventurists often cite as grounds to justify their intervention in governance. With the pockets of military interventions and abortive coups raring their ugly faces on the continent again after almost two decades of respite, it becomes imperative to resume discussions on the coup phenomenon. This paper seeks to contribute to the debate on the motivations for frequent military take-overs and lessons Ghanaian political leaders must learn in order to avert a reversion to the eras of coups.
Ghana, like many other African states, was caught in the throes of military coups d’état, counter coups, abortive coups and coup plots. The phenomenon, which was rife during the 1960s through the 1980s, subsided and seemed to have disappeared from the continent with the wind of democratization sweeping across the globe which brought in its wake transitions from military dictatorships to democratic rule. Corruption, constitutional crisis, ethnocentrism and bad governance are some of the prime factors the military adventurists often cite as grounds to justify their intervention in governance. With the pockets of military interventions and abortive coups raring their ugly faces on the continent again after almost two decades of respite, it becomes imperative to resume discussions on the coup phenomenon. This paper seeks to contribute to the debate on the motivations for frequent military take-overs and lessons Ghanaian political leaders must learn in order to avert a reversion to the eras of coups.
Tevor, J .W.,Konoboa, P. Y., Seidu, J. M., Kotei, R1, Sam-Amoah, L. K.
29th Biennial Conference of the Ghana Science Association (GSA). University of Development Studies, Tamale 3rd to 7th August, 2015
Paper presented:
INFLUENCE OF DAYS COCOA PODS SPEND ON THE GROUND AFTER HARVEST AND DRYING BY SOLAR DRYER ON THE QUALITY OF COCOA BEANS
Abstract
Abstract This project was carried out at the Department of Agriculture Engineering and Mechanization of the College of Agriculture Education, Mampong Ashanti of the University of Education, Winneba. It was to determine the number of days cocoa pods should spend on the ground after harvesting before breaking so as to maintain high quality cocoa beans. It was also to determine the quality of cocoa beans when dried with solar panel. Hybrid cocoa pods were left on the ground for varied duration after harvesting. The pods were broken to remove the beans, fermented and dried using direct sun and solar panel. Quality test was carried out on the dried cocoa beans. The results showed that cocoa beans took lesser days to dry with solar panel than direct sunlight. Cocoa pods that spent eleven (11) days or more on the ground produced higher defective beans with lower quality and sub-standard grade. The pods that spent less than eleven (11) days on the ground produced cocoa beans of good quality. Cocoa beans dried with solar panel were more acidic and were of a higher purity. It is recommended that cocoa pods be broken and processed within eleven (11) days after harvest. During cloudy and rainy weather farmers are advised to dry their cocoa beans using solar panels. Key words: Grading, Cocoa bean category, defects, mouldiness, slatiness, solar panel
Abstract This project was carried out at the Department of Agriculture Engineering and Mechanization of the College of Agriculture Education, Mampong Ashanti of the University of Education, Winneba. It was to determine the number of days cocoa pods should spend on the ground after harvesting before breaking so as to maintain high quality cocoa beans. It was also to determine the quality of cocoa beans when dried with solar panel. Hybrid cocoa pods were left on the ground for varied duration after harvesting. The pods were broken to remove the beans, fermented and dried using direct sun and solar panel. Quality test was carried out on the dried cocoa beans. The results showed that cocoa beans took lesser days to dry with solar panel than direct sunlight. Cocoa pods that spent eleven (11) days or more on the ground produced higher defective beans with lower quality and sub-standard grade. The pods that spent less than eleven (11) days on the ground produced cocoa beans of good quality. Cocoa beans dried with solar panel were more acidic and were of a higher purity. It is recommended that cocoa pods be broken and processed within eleven (11) days after harvest. During cloudy and rainy weather farmers are advised to dry their cocoa beans using solar panels. Key words: Grading, Cocoa bean category, defects, mouldiness, slatiness, solar panel
Marfu, W. A. & Brako, I.
4th International Conference on Mangement , Communication & Technology (ICMT), 2016. Academic City College, Accra, Ghana. 30th-31st May 2016
Paper presented:
Using E-Governance to Unlock Corruption In Ghana
Abstract
Corruption has become a social, political and economic canker which is wreaking havoc in many countries, both advanced and developing. The phenomenon continues to assume many new dimensions in modern times and for this reason, modern strategies have to be found to tackle it head on. The adoption of e-governance has proven to be one of the effective means to curb the menace, especially in developing countries. E-governance involves the application of ICT for government with an aim of improving the efficiency with which citizens receive services. The application of E-governance also helps in dealing with corruption through increased accountability, eliminating gatekeepers or minimizing interaction of civil servants and citizens, and increased transparency. The corruption phenomenon has been identified as one of the barriers to economic growth so, any attempt to uproot it will certainly translate into improvement in economic growth. Corruption reduces foreign direct investment (FDI), diverts government funds meant for providing development projects to non-beneficial investments and thus retards development. Thus, corruption leads to increased poverty and with e-governance it is possible to reduce the problem. Use of e-governance in reducing corruption is more beneficial for developing countries than it is for developed countries.
Corruption has become a social, political and economic canker which is wreaking havoc in many countries, both advanced and developing. The phenomenon continues to assume many new dimensions in modern times and for this reason, modern strategies have to be found to tackle it head on. The adoption of e-governance has proven to be one of the effective means to curb the menace, especially in developing countries. E-governance involves the application of ICT for government with an aim of improving the efficiency with which citizens receive services. The application of E-governance also helps in dealing with corruption through increased accountability, eliminating gatekeepers or minimizing interaction of civil servants and citizens, and increased transparency. The corruption phenomenon has been identified as one of the barriers to economic growth so, any attempt to uproot it will certainly translate into improvement in economic growth. Corruption reduces foreign direct investment (FDI), diverts government funds meant for providing development projects to non-beneficial investments and thus retards development. Thus, corruption leads to increased poverty and with e-governance it is possible to reduce the problem. Use of e-governance in reducing corruption is more beneficial for developing countries than it is for developed countries.
Ababio, P.F., K.D.A. Taylor, Draramola, B.A. and Mark Swainson
Food Safety in the Court of Public Opinion. Imperial College of London 23rd April 2015
Paper presented:
Food Safety hazards and effect in schools- Ghanaian Senior High Schools students report
Abstract
Study/research aims: The aim of the study was to; Investigate on the types of food hazards, the incidence and effect of Foodborne Diseases (FBD) in Senior Secondary schools in Ghana. Study/research methods and results: Survey in the form of questionnaire was used to collect data from 180 boarding school level 1 and 2 students who participated in the communal feeding programme from the 45 sampled schools in Ashanti Region of Ghana. Qualitative tools on SPSS Version 21 were used to analyse data. Physical contaminants in food received the highest complaints with stones being highest. Ninety five (95%) of the students had FBD awareness and 51.7% of these had experienced it with 21.1% of these reporting to health centers between October 2011 and August 2013. Twelve percent (12.1%) of students were absent from active academic work as long as 5 days and 37.1% had spent between GHC 10.0 - >50.0 on medication of which 30.6% were paid by parents and 15.6% by National Health Insurance Scheme. Fifty six percent (56%) had some form of food allergy/intolerance and out of these only 23% had reported to school matrons for alternative meals. Student’s major concern in hygiene practices in the school kitchens were the poorly cleaned utensils, poor food temperatures and unavailable hand washing facilities for both students and kitchen staff. Conclusions: Foodborne diseases were high in the schools and students were being exposed to unsafe food. The economic burden of FBD were on students, parents and the Nation. Schools kitchen staff required training to ensure Good Hygiene Practices. Significance of study: The study has created a platform for researchers and other stake holders to put equivalent focus in the forms of food hygiene monitoring, finance, training and provision of suitable facilities to institutional kitchens as current hygiene practices were similar to those reported on commercial kitchens in the country.
Study/research aims: The aim of the study was to; Investigate on the types of food hazards, the incidence and effect of Foodborne Diseases (FBD) in Senior Secondary schools in Ghana. Study/research methods and results: Survey in the form of questionnaire was used to collect data from 180 boarding school level 1 and 2 students who participated in the communal feeding programme from the 45 sampled schools in Ashanti Region of Ghana. Qualitative tools on SPSS Version 21 were used to analyse data. Physical contaminants in food received the highest complaints with stones being highest. Ninety five (95%) of the students had FBD awareness and 51.7% of these had experienced it with 21.1% of these reporting to health centers between October 2011 and August 2013. Twelve percent (12.1%) of students were absent from active academic work as long as 5 days and 37.1% had spent between GHC 10.0 - >50.0 on medication of which 30.6% were paid by parents and 15.6% by National Health Insurance Scheme. Fifty six percent (56%) had some form of food allergy/intolerance and out of these only 23% had reported to school matrons for alternative meals. Student’s major concern in hygiene practices in the school kitchens were the poorly cleaned utensils, poor food temperatures and unavailable hand washing facilities for both students and kitchen staff. Conclusions: Foodborne diseases were high in the schools and students were being exposed to unsafe food. The economic burden of FBD were on students, parents and the Nation. Schools kitchen staff required training to ensure Good Hygiene Practices. Significance of study: The study has created a platform for researchers and other stake holders to put equivalent focus in the forms of food hygiene monitoring, finance, training and provision of suitable facilities to institutional kitchens as current hygiene practices were similar to those reported on commercial kitchens in the country.
Patricia Foriwaa Ababio
Life Beyond the PhD. Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, Berkshire - UK 15-18 August 2015
Paper presented:
An investigation into the incidence of food pathogenic bacteria in SHS canteens in Ashanti Region of Ghana and the effect of Food Safety interventions
Abstract
Patricia Ababio PhD, National Centre for Food Manufacturing, University of Lincoln An investigation into the incidence of food pathogenic bacteria in SHS canteens in Ashanti Region of Ghana and the effect of Food Safety Interventions Food hygiene practices and standard in school kitchens in the Ashanti Region of Ghana were studied through auditing and questionnaire administration to matrons/kitchen managers, kitchen staff and students from 45 sampled schools and 10 schools from Lincolnshire for comparison. Eleven hygiene categorised schools were given Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) training as an intervention to identified poor hygiene practices in Ghana. Hygiene indicators (staff hygiene knowledge and personal hygiene requirements, food temperature and time control), microbiological quality (Aerobic colony count, Coliforms, Yeast and mould, S. aureus, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella) of food and contaminants on food contacts surfaces and staff hands were measured Pre GHP and at Post GHP intervention and results comparatively studied to measure effect of the intervention with Wilcoxon’s signed rank test for repeated measures. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) was introduced in 5 schools Post GHP and hygiene indicators were measured and compared with Post GHP and Pre GHP data. Friedman’s test was used to evaluate the respective effect of the two interventions. Post Hoc test using Wilcoxon’s signed rank test with Bonferroni’s critical significance was used to evaluate which of the two interventions brought about the significant improvement. There was enough evidence to prove that GHP significantly effected the improvement in staff hygiene practices and food safety whilst HACCP brought a continuous improvement.
Patricia Ababio PhD, National Centre for Food Manufacturing, University of Lincoln An investigation into the incidence of food pathogenic bacteria in SHS canteens in Ashanti Region of Ghana and the effect of Food Safety Interventions Food hygiene practices and standard in school kitchens in the Ashanti Region of Ghana were studied through auditing and questionnaire administration to matrons/kitchen managers, kitchen staff and students from 45 sampled schools and 10 schools from Lincolnshire for comparison. Eleven hygiene categorised schools were given Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) training as an intervention to identified poor hygiene practices in Ghana. Hygiene indicators (staff hygiene knowledge and personal hygiene requirements, food temperature and time control), microbiological quality (Aerobic colony count, Coliforms, Yeast and mould, S. aureus, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella) of food and contaminants on food contacts surfaces and staff hands were measured Pre GHP and at Post GHP intervention and results comparatively studied to measure effect of the intervention with Wilcoxon’s signed rank test for repeated measures. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) was introduced in 5 schools Post GHP and hygiene indicators were measured and compared with Post GHP and Pre GHP data. Friedman’s test was used to evaluate the respective effect of the two interventions. Post Hoc test using Wilcoxon’s signed rank test with Bonferroni’s critical significance was used to evaluate which of the two interventions brought about the significant improvement. There was enough evidence to prove that GHP significantly effected the improvement in staff hygiene practices and food safety whilst HACCP brought a continuous improvement.
Ababio, P.F., K.D.A. Taylor, Draramola, B.A. and Mark Swainson
Food Safety and Regulatory Measures-. Birmingham-UK 17-19 August 2015
Paper presented:
Challenges to food safety-Lincolnshire-UK and Ashanti Region School Canteens
Abstract
Abstract The demands and requirements on food laws remain the same across continents as food hazards and related risks present the same hazard to individuals internationally including school going age children and adolescents. Different nations are however burdened with different economic and developmental issues which affect the importance attached to food law requirements. Whilst the demands on food safety and hygiene remains stringently upheld, implemented and maintained in the United Kingdom the same could not be said of Ghana, a developing country in Africa. The absence of infrastructure, facilities, human resource with requisite knowledge and lack of law enforcement remain the battle to be fought for a unified food hygiene and safety practice across the globe.
Abstract The demands and requirements on food laws remain the same across continents as food hazards and related risks present the same hazard to individuals internationally including school going age children and adolescents. Different nations are however burdened with different economic and developmental issues which affect the importance attached to food law requirements. Whilst the demands on food safety and hygiene remains stringently upheld, implemented and maintained in the United Kingdom the same could not be said of Ghana, a developing country in Africa. The absence of infrastructure, facilities, human resource with requisite knowledge and lack of law enforcement remain the battle to be fought for a unified food hygiene and safety practice across the globe.
Botchwey, G and Crawford, G
Fourth Social Science Conference. University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. March 15-17. 2016
Paper presented:
Chinese Involvement in Small-scale Gold Mining in Ghana: Resource (Un)-fairness with Institutional Blessing?
Abstract
This paper examines a recent controversial phenomenon in small-scale mining in Ghana – the illicit involvement of foreign miners, especially from China, in a sector reserved for Ghanaians by law. The paper examines the impact of foreign involvement and the consequences for resource fairness in terms of resource sovereignty; state revenue; distribution of benefits; and environmental degradation. Findings show irrevocable changes to indigenous mining practices and negative externalities. Depressingly, this illicit scramble for gold occurred with the collusion of state officials, politicians and chiefs, eager to profit privately from the wealth produced, whatever the public costs; the antipathy of resource fair-ness. Policy changes proposed to address the current challenges include legislative changes to allow and regulate de facto foreign involvement and service provision taking place in ASM; to introduce a more efficient licensing process in the sector; to practice better and more accountable law enforcement; to revise of tax laws governing ASM aimed at increasing state revenue; and to develop better strategies to address environmental degradation and endemic corruption.
This paper examines a recent controversial phenomenon in small-scale mining in Ghana – the illicit involvement of foreign miners, especially from China, in a sector reserved for Ghanaians by law. The paper examines the impact of foreign involvement and the consequences for resource fairness in terms of resource sovereignty; state revenue; distribution of benefits; and environmental degradation. Findings show irrevocable changes to indigenous mining practices and negative externalities. Depressingly, this illicit scramble for gold occurred with the collusion of state officials, politicians and chiefs, eager to profit privately from the wealth produced, whatever the public costs; the antipathy of resource fair-ness. Policy changes proposed to address the current challenges include legislative changes to allow and regulate de facto foreign involvement and service provision taking place in ASM; to introduce a more efficient licensing process in the sector; to practice better and more accountable law enforcement; to revise of tax laws governing ASM aimed at increasing state revenue; and to develop better strategies to address environmental degradation and endemic corruption.
Botchwey, G
CODESRIA South-South Institute. Durban, South Africa September 11-18, 2015
Paper presented:
Reaching the Poor or the 'Well-connected'? Social Policy Targeting under Ghana's School Feeding Programme.
Abstract
The success of social policy interventions in education depends on effective targeting and management. Ghana has implemented a school feeding programme since 2007, but just about 21% of the target population is reached over the years. The study investigated why this occurs, using semi-structured interviews with community leaders, teachers, headteachers, programme donors and managers, local government officials and locally-elected representatives. Findings reveal that enrolment has indeed increased in beneficiary schools but much of these may be transfers from non-beneficiary schools. Selection of schools is also linked to the political affiliation of the headteachers and ability to lobby government.The paper argues that valid beneficiaries of social policy programmes may be missed due to covert intentions of powerholders to service patronage networks. Greater reliance on poverty profiles, publication of selection criteria and inclusion of non-state actors in coordination and monitoring would help reverse this situation.
The success of social policy interventions in education depends on effective targeting and management. Ghana has implemented a school feeding programme since 2007, but just about 21% of the target population is reached over the years. The study investigated why this occurs, using semi-structured interviews with community leaders, teachers, headteachers, programme donors and managers, local government officials and locally-elected representatives. Findings reveal that enrolment has indeed increased in beneficiary schools but much of these may be transfers from non-beneficiary schools. Selection of schools is also linked to the political affiliation of the headteachers and ability to lobby government.The paper argues that valid beneficiaries of social policy programmes may be missed due to covert intentions of powerholders to service patronage networks. Greater reliance on poverty profiles, publication of selection criteria and inclusion of non-state actors in coordination and monitoring would help reverse this situation.
