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Danso, H., Martinson, D. B., Ali, M. & Williams, J. B. (2017). Mechanisms by which the inclusion of natural fibres enhance the properties of soil blocks for construction. Journal of Composite Materials, ,
Abstract
Soil blocks are widely used for construction, especially in less economically developed countries. Addition of agricultural waste fibres has been shown to improve the properties of these blocks, however unlike most composites the fibres are not bound to the soil matrix. Therefore, the reinforcement mechanisms are different and not well characterised. This article investigates these mechanisms through a series of experimental studies to inform the development of better guidance for practitioners, and hence improve housing for low-income communities. The microstructural characteristics were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, computerised tomography scan, optical microscope analysis and pull out testing. It was established that fibres in the soil matrix are randomly distributed with gaps between the fibres and soil matrix due to fibre shrinkage during drying of the blocks. It also found that natural fibres in soil matrix can either be pulled-out or rupture under load depending on the depth of fibres embedment in the soil matrix.
Soil blocks are widely used for construction, especially in less economically developed countries. Addition of agricultural waste fibres has been shown to improve the properties of these blocks, however unlike most composites the fibres are not bound to the soil matrix. Therefore, the reinforcement mechanisms are different and not well characterised. This article investigates these mechanisms through a series of experimental studies to inform the development of better guidance for practitioners, and hence improve housing for low-income communities. The microstructural characteristics were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, computerised tomography scan, optical microscope analysis and pull out testing. It was established that fibres in the soil matrix are randomly distributed with gaps between the fibres and soil matrix due to fibre shrinkage during drying of the blocks. It also found that natural fibres in soil matrix can either be pulled-out or rupture under load depending on the depth of fibres embedment in the soil matrix.
Owusu, A. F. & Kemevor, A.K., (2016). Overcoming Small Scale Mining Environmental Problems.. Accra New Town: Lema Press. . ISBN:
Abstract
Kemevor, A.K., & Osei, A. E., (2016). Hidden Tourist Sites in Ashanti Region.. Winneba: Ghodit Printing Press. . ISBN:
Abstract
Kemevor, A.K., & Asamuah E., (2016). Polity of Kaase. Kumasi: Sanuel Images. . ISBN:
Abstract
Kemevor, A.K., (2016). Printing Press in Focus: A guide for the young entrepreneur.. UEW, Winneba: Design Press. . ISBN:
Abstract
Kemevor, A.K., & Essuman, J. (2017). The institutionalization of Photographic Industry and the Society.. The Journal of Social Sciences Research., 3,
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to highlight on photography as an excellent art work. This article on photography is based on the authenticity and social influence of the photographer. In discussing the paper, some attempts have been made to examine the nature and dynamics of photography, as well as the appreciation of photographs as a human achievement. There is also a general overview on photography in Ghana, outlining in particular the visual aesthetics of the photographic industry, and the specialized fields that exist. The paper concludes that the use of technological photography in teaching at all levels should be encouraged. It is when we add our personal vision to the technology of photography then we cross that line from mere reproduction to transformation. With this shift from science to art, we begin speaking with a vocabulary of aesthetics.
The purpose of this article is to highlight on photography as an excellent art work. This article on photography is based on the authenticity and social influence of the photographer. In discussing the paper, some attempts have been made to examine the nature and dynamics of photography, as well as the appreciation of photographs as a human achievement. There is also a general overview on photography in Ghana, outlining in particular the visual aesthetics of the photographic industry, and the specialized fields that exist. The paper concludes that the use of technological photography in teaching at all levels should be encouraged. It is when we add our personal vision to the technology of photography then we cross that line from mere reproduction to transformation. With this shift from science to art, we begin speaking with a vocabulary of aesthetics.
Kemevor, A.K., & Aibie, A. (2016). Kundum Festival – A repository of the rich culture of the Nzema at Axim in the Western Region, Ghana.. International Journal of Engineering Research and Management (IJERM)., 3,
Abstract
In this survey, an attempt has been made to give an account of the functions art-forms play in the cultural preservation of the Kundum festival. A mixed method approach which included observation of scenes, interviews and questionnaire administration was employed in collecting data. The sample size for the research analysis was Sixty-eight (68) made up of Fifteen (15) royals and significant community members and fifty-three (53) individual respondents comprising participants, elders, opinion leaders among others. Responses from the royals and significant community members were through interviews conducted whiles research questionnaires were used to gather information from fifty-three (53) individual respondents. The survey outcome indicated that (100%) of the individual respondents said that Akotoko Yanzu is credited with the introduction of the festival from Aboadze. In addition, the outcome from the interview with some royals affirm that all respondents (i.e. [15] 100%) interviewed mentioned the "sienu"(i.e. rites at outskirt of Axim town), the "akpazo"( i.e. sacrificial rites on Tuesday), singing of Kundum dirges, lighting of the Kundum fires among others as some of the important rites, rituals and taboos associated with Kundum celebration. The important role arts play in cultural preservation is that it helps to educate the celebrants to imbibe their cultural practices to help in the preservation of the arts and culture of the people for these is to set the pace for the celebration and to harmonize the relationship between the people and their ancestors.
In this survey, an attempt has been made to give an account of the functions art-forms play in the cultural preservation of the Kundum festival. A mixed method approach which included observation of scenes, interviews and questionnaire administration was employed in collecting data. The sample size for the research analysis was Sixty-eight (68) made up of Fifteen (15) royals and significant community members and fifty-three (53) individual respondents comprising participants, elders, opinion leaders among others. Responses from the royals and significant community members were through interviews conducted whiles research questionnaires were used to gather information from fifty-three (53) individual respondents. The survey outcome indicated that (100%) of the individual respondents said that Akotoko Yanzu is credited with the introduction of the festival from Aboadze. In addition, the outcome from the interview with some royals affirm that all respondents (i.e. [15] 100%) interviewed mentioned the "sienu"(i.e. rites at outskirt of Axim town), the "akpazo"( i.e. sacrificial rites on Tuesday), singing of Kundum dirges, lighting of the Kundum fires among others as some of the important rites, rituals and taboos associated with Kundum celebration. The important role arts play in cultural preservation is that it helps to educate the celebrants to imbibe their cultural practices to help in the preservation of the arts and culture of the people for these is to set the pace for the celebration and to harmonize the relationship between the people and their ancestors.
Addai-Mununkum, R
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Meeting. San Antonio, TX, USA April 27 - May 2, 2017
Paper presented:
Educational Access "With Strings Attached": Exploring the Role of Religion in Promoting Educational Inequity
Abstract
Literature is replete with reports of missions contributing immensely towards bridging the gap between access and provision of education. However, little work has examined religious practices that exist in such mission sponsored schools and their contribution to inequity in educational access. Using a qualitative case study which employed interviews, observations and focus groups, I examined the experiences of religious minorities in pseudo-religious public schools in Ghana. I observed that such schools make students into a captive audience to religious instruction, thereby encouraging students to adopt less honorable tactics, and falsifying behavior, in order to peaceably access public education. If schools in Africa are to remain this religious, we stand the risk of denying students their rightful access to public education.
Literature is replete with reports of missions contributing immensely towards bridging the gap between access and provision of education. However, little work has examined religious practices that exist in such mission sponsored schools and their contribution to inequity in educational access. Using a qualitative case study which employed interviews, observations and focus groups, I examined the experiences of religious minorities in pseudo-religious public schools in Ghana. I observed that such schools make students into a captive audience to religious instruction, thereby encouraging students to adopt less honorable tactics, and falsifying behavior, in order to peaceably access public education. If schools in Africa are to remain this religious, we stand the risk of denying students their rightful access to public education.
Addai-Mununkum, R
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Meeting 2017. San Antonio, USA April 27 - May 2, 2017
Paper presented:
Misrepresentation of Religion in Curriculum of Ghanaian Schools: Mapping Educational (In)equity to Official Knowledge
Abstract
Little research has conceptualized official knowledge and its connections to (in)equity in educational opportunity. Subjecting religious education curricula of Ghanaian schools through a qualitative discourse analysis, this work seeks to highlight official knowledge as a “hidden” medium by which educational inequity is manifested. In examining the dual role of religion as an identity maker and content of study, I identify, who is studied, who is (mis)studied, and who is not studied. I suggest that achieving the promise of equal educational opportunity, requires the redirection of research attention to curricular representations and the inequities they endorse
Little research has conceptualized official knowledge and its connections to (in)equity in educational opportunity. Subjecting religious education curricula of Ghanaian schools through a qualitative discourse analysis, this work seeks to highlight official knowledge as a “hidden” medium by which educational inequity is manifested. In examining the dual role of religion as an identity maker and content of study, I identify, who is studied, who is (mis)studied, and who is not studied. I suggest that achieving the promise of equal educational opportunity, requires the redirection of research attention to curricular representations and the inequities they endorse
Addai-Mununkum, R (2017). Adding and Dividing by Religion: The Not-So-Hidden Curriculum of Mission-Public Schools in Ghana. Religion & Education, 44,
Abstract
With the abundance of religious conflicts globally, public schools are called to nurture students for this religiously plural world. To achieve this, scholarship has overly focused on promoting teaching about religion to the neglect of schools’ religious climate and its’ impact on diversity education. This article, written to fill this need, is based on a qualitative case study of 3 pseudo-religious public schools in Ghana. Through interviews, observations, and focus groups, I infer from the findings to argue that, although opportunities exist for schools to create dialogue out of their diversities, it also offers scenarios for dissections along religious lines.
With the abundance of religious conflicts globally, public schools are called to nurture students for this religiously plural world. To achieve this, scholarship has overly focused on promoting teaching about religion to the neglect of schools’ religious climate and its’ impact on diversity education. This article, written to fill this need, is based on a qualitative case study of 3 pseudo-religious public schools in Ghana. Through interviews, observations, and focus groups, I infer from the findings to argue that, although opportunities exist for schools to create dialogue out of their diversities, it also offers scenarios for dissections along religious lines.
