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Nsoh, S.N. (2015). AWARENESS OF TRADERS AT LORRY STATIONS ABOUT THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF AUTOMOBILE EMISSIONS: THE CASE OF FEMALE TRADERS IN A LORRY STATION IN KUMASI, GHANA. Global Journal of Advanced Engineering Technologies and Sciences, 2,
Abstract
The study assessed the awareness of female traders at a lorry station in Kumasi, Ghana about the adverse effects of automobile emissions on their health. A cross-sectional survey design with a semi-structured interview was used to collect data from all 48 traders who sell at the station. The results indicated that the traders believed all automobile emissions have a smell, are visible and blue in colour. The findings also showed that 47.9% of the traders knew automobile emissions cause irritation of the eyes, 43.7% felt the emissions cause coughing and 31.3% attributed nausea and vomiting to the inhalation of the emissions. It was concluded that the traders were aware of some of the adverse effects of automobile emissions. They were, however, not aware that the inhalation of the emissions could result in death. The study recommended that the local authority (Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly) should relocate either the lorry station or the female traders to save the latter from inhaling dangerous emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency should also embark on vigorous education of the general public on the adverse effects of automobile emissions. Keywords: adverse effects, automobile emissions, Ghana, health, Kumasi, traders.
The study assessed the awareness of female traders at a lorry station in Kumasi, Ghana about the adverse effects of automobile emissions on their health. A cross-sectional survey design with a semi-structured interview was used to collect data from all 48 traders who sell at the station. The results indicated that the traders believed all automobile emissions have a smell, are visible and blue in colour. The findings also showed that 47.9% of the traders knew automobile emissions cause irritation of the eyes, 43.7% felt the emissions cause coughing and 31.3% attributed nausea and vomiting to the inhalation of the emissions. It was concluded that the traders were aware of some of the adverse effects of automobile emissions. They were, however, not aware that the inhalation of the emissions could result in death. The study recommended that the local authority (Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly) should relocate either the lorry station or the female traders to save the latter from inhaling dangerous emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency should also embark on vigorous education of the general public on the adverse effects of automobile emissions. Keywords: adverse effects, automobile emissions, Ghana, health, Kumasi, traders.
Tetteh, G. K., Nyame, G. & Boateng, F. O. (2014). Technological Innovations and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Ashanti Region: An Evaluation of the National Ambulance Service’s Support to Referral Centres. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 4,
Abstract
The practice of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) encompasses the pre-hospital and in-hospital triage, resuscitation, initial assessment and management of undifferentiated urgent and emergency cases until discharge or transfer to the care of another physician or health care professional. This involves the development and deployment of pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency medical systems for rescue processes. Thus, the goal of effective EMS is to provide emergency medical care to all who need it. However, many factors determine the quality of EMS, and that the response time is an important EMS industry benchmark. The study assesses the level of technological innovations as a means of providing quality pre-hospital care to patients in times of emergencies and the acceptance of such practices by Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) – a referral centre. All the 16 National Ambulance Service (NAS) centres in the Ashanti Region in Ghana were considered for the study, with only 93 personnel manning these stations and hence the difficulty for them to attend to concurrent cases of emergencies. Questionnaires were administered on the perceptions and opinions of patients/relatives, doctors and nurses as well as staff of the 16 ambulance service centres about EMS delivery. Systematic random sampling was used to select patients/relatives and ambulance service staff whilst convenience sampling was used to select individuals from the rest of the categories. The use of fixed telephone lines and mobile phones were the primary tools for communication. For quality evidence-based EMS practices, NAS lacked the integration of GIS, GPS and GSM technologies including mobile tablet PCs and software solution to properly discharge their duties.
The practice of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) encompasses the pre-hospital and in-hospital triage, resuscitation, initial assessment and management of undifferentiated urgent and emergency cases until discharge or transfer to the care of another physician or health care professional. This involves the development and deployment of pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency medical systems for rescue processes. Thus, the goal of effective EMS is to provide emergency medical care to all who need it. However, many factors determine the quality of EMS, and that the response time is an important EMS industry benchmark. The study assesses the level of technological innovations as a means of providing quality pre-hospital care to patients in times of emergencies and the acceptance of such practices by Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) – a referral centre. All the 16 National Ambulance Service (NAS) centres in the Ashanti Region in Ghana were considered for the study, with only 93 personnel manning these stations and hence the difficulty for them to attend to concurrent cases of emergencies. Questionnaires were administered on the perceptions and opinions of patients/relatives, doctors and nurses as well as staff of the 16 ambulance service centres about EMS delivery. Systematic random sampling was used to select patients/relatives and ambulance service staff whilst convenience sampling was used to select individuals from the rest of the categories. The use of fixed telephone lines and mobile phones were the primary tools for communication. For quality evidence-based EMS practices, NAS lacked the integration of GIS, GPS and GSM technologies including mobile tablet PCs and software solution to properly discharge their duties.
Nyame, G., Boateng, F. O. & Poku, A. K. (2015). A Monitoring and Control System for Micro and Small Enterprises: The Use of RUMSEG at the District Level in Ghana. Information and Knowledge Management, 5,
Abstract
Rural folks in many districts in Ghana engage in various profit-making businesses which range from traditionally skilled-based manufacturing to retailing businesses. As a result, local government authorities together with stakeholders such as Rural Enterprise Project (REP) are interested in monitoring the development tendencies of these trade categories at their micro and small-scale levels. This paper comes out with Rural Micro and Small Scale Enterprises Growth (RUMSEG) tool that enables District Assemblies (DAs) to monitor and evaluate growth performances of Micro and Small-scale Enterprises (MSEs) at the district level, and serve as an aid to revenue mobilization. Beta testing and the agile iterative method were employed during modules testing and with a backend relational database to store client’s information. RUMSEG was tested at the Business Advisory Centres (BACs) of Asuogyaman and Atwima Nwabeagya District Assemblies in Ghana. Aided by the Enterprise Monitoring Diary (EMD), RUMSEG produced differences in clients’ growth performances in the context of turning actual cost of training by stakeholders into actual outputs of skills, abilities and competencies.
Rural folks in many districts in Ghana engage in various profit-making businesses which range from traditionally skilled-based manufacturing to retailing businesses. As a result, local government authorities together with stakeholders such as Rural Enterprise Project (REP) are interested in monitoring the development tendencies of these trade categories at their micro and small-scale levels. This paper comes out with Rural Micro and Small Scale Enterprises Growth (RUMSEG) tool that enables District Assemblies (DAs) to monitor and evaluate growth performances of Micro and Small-scale Enterprises (MSEs) at the district level, and serve as an aid to revenue mobilization. Beta testing and the agile iterative method were employed during modules testing and with a backend relational database to store client’s information. RUMSEG was tested at the Business Advisory Centres (BACs) of Asuogyaman and Atwima Nwabeagya District Assemblies in Ghana. Aided by the Enterprise Monitoring Diary (EMD), RUMSEG produced differences in clients’ growth performances in the context of turning actual cost of training by stakeholders into actual outputs of skills, abilities and competencies.
Adu Gyamfi, S., Ohemeng Gyaase, P. & Ansong-Gyimah, K.
Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2016. Savanna, Georgia, USA March 21, 2016 - March 25, 2016
Paper presented:
Designing Blended Learning Environment for Pre-service Teachers: The Moderating Role of Formative Experiment.
Abstract
This study used formative experiment to design and test a blended learning environment intervention on the teaching and learning of Communication Skills for pre-service teachers. The learning environment was designed on the Moodle platform to combine online learning support with traditional face-face lectures. Pre-intervention baseline data and post-intervention data were collected for comparison. Analysis of the findings showed wide acceptance of use of the blended learning environment. There was appreciable improvement of students’ participation and interaction in the course and this resulted in the improvement of the key areas of the Communication Skills course among the pre-service teachers. Lecturers were also able to interact with the students better than in face-to-face classroom setting. It was concluded that the design of a blended learning environment could improve teaching and learning in Ghanaian Universities in courses where large class sizes exist.
This study used formative experiment to design and test a blended learning environment intervention on the teaching and learning of Communication Skills for pre-service teachers. The learning environment was designed on the Moodle platform to combine online learning support with traditional face-face lectures. Pre-intervention baseline data and post-intervention data were collected for comparison. Analysis of the findings showed wide acceptance of use of the blended learning environment. There was appreciable improvement of students’ participation and interaction in the course and this resulted in the improvement of the key areas of the Communication Skills course among the pre-service teachers. Lecturers were also able to interact with the students better than in face-to-face classroom setting. It was concluded that the design of a blended learning environment could improve teaching and learning in Ghanaian Universities in courses where large class sizes exist.
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
Abroampah, P. M., Boakye, E. and Yalley, P. P. (2015). The Impact of Sofokrom Quarry on River Anankwari. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 4,
Abstract
This study assessed the effect of quarry activity on ANANKWARI river in the shama Ahanta East of Western Region. Questionnaire administration and observations were used for primary data collection whilst rainfall and hydrological data were gathered to aid the study. Water quality analysis of samples from upstream and downstream were conducted. Data was statistically analyzed and with reference to WHO guidelines for drinking water, analysis was made. The study identified that the intense operation of quarry in the catchment since 2011 has resulted in the decrease of average annual discharge of 574796m3 in 2009 to 480252m3 in 2012. Physical and chemical parameters of all samples in the downstream showed appreciably statistically different values from respective upstream sampling locations. Most of the physico-chemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, color, temperature etc. of the downstream did not meet the WHO standards. This pollution attributed to quarry operation has affected downstream users causing skin diseases and chronic coughs for consuming the raw water. Public awareness with respect to the need to boil and filter the downstream water before drinking or bathing is significant. A hydro-meteorological monitoring network station must be established within the sub-catchment area to consistently determine the culminated effect. Keywords: Quarry activities, Anankwari river, water quality parameters, discharge, catchment
This study assessed the effect of quarry activity on ANANKWARI river in the shama Ahanta East of Western Region. Questionnaire administration and observations were used for primary data collection whilst rainfall and hydrological data were gathered to aid the study. Water quality analysis of samples from upstream and downstream were conducted. Data was statistically analyzed and with reference to WHO guidelines for drinking water, analysis was made. The study identified that the intense operation of quarry in the catchment since 2011 has resulted in the decrease of average annual discharge of 574796m3 in 2009 to 480252m3 in 2012. Physical and chemical parameters of all samples in the downstream showed appreciably statistically different values from respective upstream sampling locations. Most of the physico-chemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, color, temperature etc. of the downstream did not meet the WHO standards. This pollution attributed to quarry operation has affected downstream users causing skin diseases and chronic coughs for consuming the raw water. Public awareness with respect to the need to boil and filter the downstream water before drinking or bathing is significant. A hydro-meteorological monitoring network station must be established within the sub-catchment area to consistently determine the culminated effect. Keywords: Quarry activities, Anankwari river, water quality parameters, discharge, catchment
Manu I. Y., Asiedu E., Yalley P. P. and Denutsui K. S. (2015). Feasibility of using Cocoa Pod Husk Ash (CPHA) as a stabilizer in the production of Compressed Earth bricks. International Journal of Engineering Research and General Science, 3,
Abstract
Indiscriminate disposal of cocoa pod husks has been a threat to the environment especially in cocoa growing communities thus the need to explore alternative ways of utilizing this waste product. This paper examined the suitability of CPHA as a stabilizer in the production of stabilized earth bricks. Laboratory experiments were conducted on compressed earth bricks to investigate the effects of the CPHA on their compressive strength, dry density, abrasion resistance and water absorption characteristics. The earth bricks were moulded with different percentages of Cocoa Pod Husk Ash consisting of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. Using a mould dimension of 200mm x 100mm x 75mm, earth bricks were manually casted and cured for 28 days. Data results showed remarkable improvement in all the properties studied on the earth bricks but varied depending on the ash content. The study also revealed that cocoa pod husk ash can be used as a stabilizer in the production of earth bricks especially when the Cocoa pod husk ash content is 10% by weight as higher ash contents slightly decline the engineering properties. Keywords— Cocoa Pod Husk Ash (CPHA), Stabilization, Earth bricks, Water Absorption, Abrasion resistance, Compressive strength, Cocoa
Indiscriminate disposal of cocoa pod husks has been a threat to the environment especially in cocoa growing communities thus the need to explore alternative ways of utilizing this waste product. This paper examined the suitability of CPHA as a stabilizer in the production of stabilized earth bricks. Laboratory experiments were conducted on compressed earth bricks to investigate the effects of the CPHA on their compressive strength, dry density, abrasion resistance and water absorption characteristics. The earth bricks were moulded with different percentages of Cocoa Pod Husk Ash consisting of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. Using a mould dimension of 200mm x 100mm x 75mm, earth bricks were manually casted and cured for 28 days. Data results showed remarkable improvement in all the properties studied on the earth bricks but varied depending on the ash content. The study also revealed that cocoa pod husk ash can be used as a stabilizer in the production of earth bricks especially when the Cocoa pod husk ash content is 10% by weight as higher ash contents slightly decline the engineering properties. Keywords— Cocoa Pod Husk Ash (CPHA), Stabilization, Earth bricks, Water Absorption, Abrasion resistance, Compressive strength, Cocoa
Adogla, F., Yalley, P. P. and Arkoh, M. (2016). Improving Compressed Laterite Bricks using Powdered Eggshells. The International Journal Of Engineering And Science (IJES) || || Pages || PP -65-70|| 2016 ||, 5,
Abstract
Eggshells are notable agricultural wastes indiscriminately disposed on the environment. Coupled with their foul smell they tend to create an unpleasant environment wherever they could be found. As a way of improving this situation, an alternative use for these products have found identified by using it to improve the engineering properties of compressed laterite bricks for masonry purposes. This paper reports the results of a study evaluating the use of powdered eggshells on the compressive strength and durability characteristics of compressed laterite bricks. Laterite bricks were produced with varying quantities of eggshells which comprised of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% by weight of laterite. Compressed laterite bricks showed improvements in all the tests conducted after the inclusion of the powdered eggshells. Powdered eggshells were deemed appropriate for improving the general characteristics for compressed bricks although the optimum quantity was attained at 30%. Keywords – Compressed bricks, laterite, powdered eggshells, soil improvement.
Eggshells are notable agricultural wastes indiscriminately disposed on the environment. Coupled with their foul smell they tend to create an unpleasant environment wherever they could be found. As a way of improving this situation, an alternative use for these products have found identified by using it to improve the engineering properties of compressed laterite bricks for masonry purposes. This paper reports the results of a study evaluating the use of powdered eggshells on the compressive strength and durability characteristics of compressed laterite bricks. Laterite bricks were produced with varying quantities of eggshells which comprised of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% by weight of laterite. Compressed laterite bricks showed improvements in all the tests conducted after the inclusion of the powdered eggshells. Powdered eggshells were deemed appropriate for improving the general characteristics for compressed bricks although the optimum quantity was attained at 30%. Keywords – Compressed bricks, laterite, powdered eggshells, soil improvement.
Zievie, P. and Yalley, P. P. (2016). Evaluation of the Strength Properties of Soil Bricks Produced with Processed African Locust Bean Waste water as Stabiliser. American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER), 5,
Abstract
A newly proposed concept of soil bricks as masonry units for low-cost environmentally friendly construction is proposed using agro-based waste water obtained from the processing of the African locust bean into local food condiments. Laboratory test system was designed to perform strength and durability test on four types of soil brick mixed with African locust bean waste water (ALBWW) as replacement of portable water and also as soil stabiliser for bricks production. Tests were conducted on strength and durability properties of the specimens. There was an increase of 66% over unstabilised specimens when the soil was fully mixed with ALBWW. The density of the bricks increased from 2120kg/m3 for the soil bricks without ALBWW to 2167kg/m3 when the soil was mixed with ALBWW. The resistance to wear for bricks increased steadily from 6.45cm2/g for bricks without ALBWW as stabilisation to 9.45cm2/g for bricks with ALBWW. The presence of ALBWW reduced the amount of water absorbed by the bricks. The study concluded that ALBWW which is an environmental nuisance can be used to replace portable water and also as stabiliser for masonry units in construction. This then implies that effective utilization of ALBWW as soil stabiliser would reduce the cost of relative durable houses for the rural and peri-urban areas in Northern part of Ghana where locust beans are prevalent. Keywords: abrasion resistance, compressive strength locust bean, water absorption,
A newly proposed concept of soil bricks as masonry units for low-cost environmentally friendly construction is proposed using agro-based waste water obtained from the processing of the African locust bean into local food condiments. Laboratory test system was designed to perform strength and durability test on four types of soil brick mixed with African locust bean waste water (ALBWW) as replacement of portable water and also as soil stabiliser for bricks production. Tests were conducted on strength and durability properties of the specimens. There was an increase of 66% over unstabilised specimens when the soil was fully mixed with ALBWW. The density of the bricks increased from 2120kg/m3 for the soil bricks without ALBWW to 2167kg/m3 when the soil was mixed with ALBWW. The resistance to wear for bricks increased steadily from 6.45cm2/g for bricks without ALBWW as stabilisation to 9.45cm2/g for bricks with ALBWW. The presence of ALBWW reduced the amount of water absorbed by the bricks. The study concluded that ALBWW which is an environmental nuisance can be used to replace portable water and also as stabiliser for masonry units in construction. This then implies that effective utilization of ALBWW as soil stabiliser would reduce the cost of relative durable houses for the rural and peri-urban areas in Northern part of Ghana where locust beans are prevalent. Keywords: abrasion resistance, compressive strength locust bean, water absorption,
Arthur,Y.D, Asiedu-Addo,S.& Harris,E., (2015). Statistical Software Packages (SSPs) Integration In Teaching And Learning Of Statistics In Ghanaian Tertiary Institution. 7th International Conference on Teaching , Education and Learning (ICTEL). : International Journal of Social Sciences.
Abstract
To address the impact of statistical software package integration in the teaching and learning of statistics by examining the effect of training lecturers in the use of statistical software packages(SSPs) on their intension to use the packages. The research used multimode survey technique. University of education, Winneba-Kumasi campus, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of mines and Technology, University of Energy and Natural Resources, from January –February,2015. The paper deploys quantitative research methodology using purposive sampling of lecturers, demonstrators and teaching assistant in mathematics and statistics. Four public universities in Ghana were sampled. The data collected was subjected to SmartPLS second generation multivariate structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in the computation of relevant statistics. The paper used sample of 98 respondents purposively selected from the participating institutions. Test of validity and reliability was conducted to ascertain data credibility and consistency of the measurement as well as measurement and structural models. The data proved reliable with cronbacks square of the cronback values greater than 0.7.The results of the analysis indicate that there is a positive significant relationship between training programs university leadership organized for their lecturers in mathematics and statistical and the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude and assertiveness of the lecturers to uses the SSPs and lecturer’s intension to use SSPs. Conclusion: The finding of this paper has confirm the previous research output on the effectiveness of Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) framework and has further extended the theory of TAM to help predict the lecturers intension to use statistical software packages in the teaching and learning of statistics.
To address the impact of statistical software package integration in the teaching and learning of statistics by examining the effect of training lecturers in the use of statistical software packages(SSPs) on their intension to use the packages. The research used multimode survey technique. University of education, Winneba-Kumasi campus, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of mines and Technology, University of Energy and Natural Resources, from January –February,2015. The paper deploys quantitative research methodology using purposive sampling of lecturers, demonstrators and teaching assistant in mathematics and statistics. Four public universities in Ghana were sampled. The data collected was subjected to SmartPLS second generation multivariate structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in the computation of relevant statistics. The paper used sample of 98 respondents purposively selected from the participating institutions. Test of validity and reliability was conducted to ascertain data credibility and consistency of the measurement as well as measurement and structural models. The data proved reliable with cronbacks square of the cronback values greater than 0.7.The results of the analysis indicate that there is a positive significant relationship between training programs university leadership organized for their lecturers in mathematics and statistical and the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude and assertiveness of the lecturers to uses the SSPs and lecturer’s intension to use SSPs. Conclusion: The finding of this paper has confirm the previous research output on the effectiveness of Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) framework and has further extended the theory of TAM to help predict the lecturers intension to use statistical software packages in the teaching and learning of statistics.
