A Symbolic Decorative Wall Plaque for the Sunyani Palace

The gold/silver/coppersmithing industry is one of the longest established trades in Ghana. The industry offers employment to many people engaged in it and it plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the nation. However the industry concentrates largely on the production of jewellery/filigree fashion accessories works like necklaces, anklets, tie pins, brooches etc. using precious metals like gold, silver and diamond and non-precious metals like cooper and brass to the neglect of fabrication of large articles like trophies and wall plaques which could also be a promising and rewarding trade. The idea of producing a wall plaque for the Sunyani palace in the BrongAhafo region came into mind after the research team had had some interactions with the chief, queen mother, some elders and few natives of the town. Investigations revealed that though the town’s emblem and the history surrounding how the town got its name ‘Sunyani’ revolves round a hunter and an elephant, in the area of artifact very little was known. It was in the light of this that the researchers decided to produce a wall plaque for the palace to be used to preserve the story surrounding the town to generations yet unborn as well as use it to create awareness about the need for the gold/silversmithing industry to venture into other viable smiting activities. The descriptive method of research under the qualitative method of research which uses interview and observation was used to gather, analyze and interpret data gathered. The purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to sample views from the interviewees and the face-to-to unstructured interview was used as data collection instrument.  Possible recommendations like creating more awareness among gold/silversmithing about the need to venture into other profitable smithing activities and the introduction of Metal Product Design into the curriculum right from J.H.S to the tertiary level among others have been suggested. Keywords: Wall plaque, artifacts, embossing, chasing, annealing, modeling, repouss

Comparative Study of Fashion Production Units in Ghanaian Polytechnics

Technological and vocational Education has emerged as one of the most capable Human Resource Improvement Strategies that African countries need to conform, in other to train and update their technical labour force for speedy industrialization and national development. The impact of Technical and Vocational Education and the way skills training and competences are learnt in developing countries can improve polytechnic education of which Fashion is one. The Ghanaian Polytechnics have mostly since their inception relied heavily on industries outside the school environment to give their students hands-on-training in industrial practices related to their various programmes. Students studying fashion design and textiles also face similar challenges. This study therefore focuses on comparative study of production units in Polytechnics that offer fashion design and textile courses by examining the need to compare production units in Polytechnics and the role production units play especially in fashion education. The study also seeks to identify best practices in the fashion industry that could be replicated in a production unit for effective fashion education in Ghanaian Polytechnics. The study seeks to compare equipments available in production units in fashion design and textile department in Accra, Ho, Kumasi and Takoradi Polytechnics. The simple random sampling technique was used to sample views from the respondents and as data collection instrument a structured questionnaire was administered to one hundred and forty seven respondents (147). Out of the one hundred and forty seven respondents, twenty eight (28) were interviewed. The interpretation of the data reveals that most Polytechnics offering fashion education have production units. From the responses it can be concluded that the machines in the institutions production units if maintained and used properly will improve polytechnic education and also bridge the gap between Polytechnics and industries. Since the institutions will produce competent and skilled graduates, garment manufacturing industries will have confidence in the polytechnic’s graduates and willingly employ them. Based on the study certain recommendations have been made. Keywords: Clothing, fashion, garment, manufacturing, production management

Factors that Influence Clothing Selection of Students: A Case Study of University of Ghana, Legon

The study aimed at investigating University of Ghana (Legon) campus fashion and factors that influenced clothing selection of students. The proportionate random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The hand-coded data was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS).The results were descriptive and were presented using percentage distribution and pie charts. The respondents’ ages ranged from 18 to 50 years; about 42% were female and 58% male. The majority of respondents (87%) were Christians; 11% were Moslems and 2%, Agnostic. Devoted female Moslems could readily be identified by their way of dressing. The survey revealed that about 68% of the respondents made their own clothing choices; 23% were influenced by their parents and 9% were influenced by friends. Styles of clothing that were distinctive on campus included jeans trousers, hipsters, denim (jeans) skirts and jackets, tiered skirts, pleated skirts, ‘petticoat’, sleeveless blouses, halter neck (bare backs), spaghetti tops, buddha shorts( pushers), hot pants and skirts, and Shaba. A case study investigation conducted earlier revealed that majority of the respondents (69%) did not have knowledge about textiles and clothing. Hence, the trend on campus seemed to suggest that many of them did not know how to select clothing to suit their figure types and occasion.  This study therefore sought to find out factors that influenced the clothing selection of the respondents. Majority of the respondents (91%) considered both protection and modesty as important in clothing selection, although campus fashion seemed to suggest otherwise; 48% rated adornment as important. Factors that influenced the respondents’ clothing selection were grouped into physical, aesthetic, psycho-social, and economic factors. Colour, fashion, affordability, durability and religion were factors that influenced respondents’ clothing selection the most. The respondents suggested that the teaching of Textiles and Clothing be introduced in the schools’ curricula at the basic level of education to help inculcate in children the knowledge about the right choice of clothing to enable them to make informed clothing decisions in life. Keywords: Clothing, Fashion, Protection, Adornment, Modesty

The Assessment of the Blacksmithing Industry in Ghana (A Case Study of Suame Magazine, Kumasi)

The blacksmithing industry has been in existence for a long time, it offers employment to many people in, Ghana. The industry plays a major role in the socio-economic development of the country through the servicing of vehicles, carpentry, household, agricultural implements etc. Inspite of its contribution to the society, it has not made much impact to national development due to some challenges. This study assesses the performance of the blacksmithing industry of Suame Magazine in Kumasi, Ghana with respect to its designs, methods of production and nature of services provided. The descriptive method under the qualitative method of research which uses observation and interview was adopted to analyze and interpret data gathered. A simple random sampling technique was used to solicit for information and a structured interview and observation was used as data collection instruments. The study confirmed the industry’s positive contribution to socio-economic development of the country. It was however revealed that the quality of their product design was not only low, but almost non-existent and the industry still depended on old methods of production, thus affecting it. Possible recommendations include; liking the industry with academic institutions like KNUST and Polytechnics to help assist it upgrade its methods of production, provision of financial assistance by financial institutions and NGOs in the form of credit facilities which could help the industry contribute its quota effectively to national development. Keywords:Blacksmithing, designs, products, forging, fabrication, apprentic

Assessing Academic Levels of University Students in Ghana about Clothing and Textiles: A Case Study of Students of University of Ghana

Studying Textiles and Clothing at the lower level of education could help individuals make informed clothing choices at the higher level and beyond. Appropriate dressing implies selecting clothes that are right for one’s body type and activities. Campus fashion seemed to suggest that many of the students did not have adequate knowledge about Textiles and Clothing. The study therefore investigated University of Ghana (Legon) resident students’ academic levels in Clothing and Textiles. The proportionate random sampling technique was used to select 270 respondents from the five traditional halls of residence. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The hand coded data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences. The results were presented using frequency and percentage distribution, histogram and pie chart. The ages of the respondents ranged between 18 and 50 years. About 42% were female and 50% male. Only 31% of the respondents had some knowledge in textiles and clothing. The remaining 69% had no knowledge about textiles and clothing. About 74% of those who had studied textiles and clothing did it up to Primary or Junior High School. Based on the study some practical recommendations have been made for the way forward. Keywords: Fashion, clothing, textiles, knowledge, level, garmen

The Essence of Setting up Production Units in Ghanaian Polytechnics

Polytechnics are hi-tech institutions providing career-focused, proficiency based education, expected to work with industry to produce skilled manpower based on contemporary and future needs of industry. However, the cost of setting up fashion production unit and equipping it to the values of industry is a setback to most polytechnics. Bridging this gap between polytechnics and industries is the need to have constant supply of resources to help maintain the various units. Education and the need to achieve our goals as designers compel polytechnics to initiate measures to overcome this difficulty. This concept should help students acquire competences expected from them as professionals. Technical and Vocational Training has emerged as one of the most effectual Human Resource Development Strategies that African countries need to secure, train and update their technical labour force for rapid industrialization and national development. The study objective was to assess the impact of vocational and technical skills training in improving the socio-economic status of students in the Polytechnics. The study seeks to find out the essence of setting up production units in Polytechnics and to improve competences and skills, its achievement and purpose of increasing access of young person’s to skills attainment and empowerment for productive employment. A simple random technique was use to sample views, and a structured questionnaire and interview guide was used for data collection. The interpretation revealed that most polytechnics do not have production units. Specifically the study seeks to unveil the essence of setting up production units in Ghanaian Polytechnics and suggest best practices in the fashion industry that could be replicated in a production unit for effective fashion education in Ghanaian Polytechnics. Key words: Production unit, Clothing, Fashion, Garment, Manufacturing, Industrial Sewing Machine, Production Management, Equipment, Essence

Serum AGEs in black South African patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels in black South African patients with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to compare the results with those reported for other ethnic/race groups.Design: Analytical cross-sectional study.Setting and subjects: The study subjects consisted of 138 black South African patients with T2D and 81 non-diabetic patients at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.Outcome measures: Serum total AGEs (TAGEs), Nɛ-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), Nɛ-carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL) and fluorescent AGEs (FAGEs).Results: Serum TAGEs, CML and CEL levels but not FAGEs were significantly higher in T2D patients than in non-diabetic patients. Serum TAGEs were lower than those reported for other ethnic/race groups whereas CML and FAGEs were within ranges reported for other ethnic/race groups. Only serum CEL levels were significantly higher in male than in female T2D patients and only serum FAGEs levels were negatively associated with age of the study subjects.Conclusions: With the exception of FAGEs, serum AGEs levels are significantly higher in T2D than in non-diabetic black South Africans patients. Also, serum TAGE levels black South African appear to be lower than those reported for other ethnic/race groups.Keywords: Black South Africans, serum AGEs, type 2 diabete

Fraction Learners: Assessing Understanding through Language Acquisition

This study applies the Mathematics Acquisition Framework (MAF) (Bossé, Ringler, Bayaga, Fountain, & Young, 2018) to investigate fifth- through seventh-grade students’ comprehension of fractions and decimals and examines how students build understanding of mathematical principles and concepts regarding fractions and decimals. Based on case studies and discourse analysis, the results revealed students in different stages of the MAF with some students employing informal/social language in their mathematical communication and others using formal/academic language. Additionally, mathematically erroneous student communication was more positively interpreted through the lens of the MAF, which interpreted student errors, misunderstandings, and miscommunications as natural components to learning

Termites have wider thermal limits to cope with environmental conditions in savannas

1. The most diverse and abundant family of termites, the Termitidae, evolved in African tropical forests. They have since colonised grassy biomes such as savannas. These open environments have more extreme conditions than tropical forests, notably wider extremes of temperature and lower precipitation levels and greater temporal fluctuations (of both annual and diurnal variation). These conditions are challenging for soft-bodied ectotherms, such as termites, to survive in, let alone become as ecologically dominant as termites have. 2. Here, we quantified termite thermal limits to test the hypothesis that these physiological limits are wider in savanna termite species to facilitate their existence in savanna environments. 3. We sampled termites directly from mound structures, across an environmental gradient in Ghana, ranging from wet tropical forest through to savanna. At each location, we quantified both the Critical Thermal Maxima (CTmax) and the Critical Thermal Minima (CTmin) of all the most abundant mound-building Termitidae species in the study areas. We modelled the thermal limits in two separate mixed-effects models against canopy cover at the mound, temperature and rainfall, as fixed effects, with sampling location as a random intercept. 4. For both CTmax and CTmin, savanna species had significantly more extreme thermal limits than forest species. Between and within environments, areas with higher amounts of canopy cover were significantly associated with lower CTmax values of the termite colonies. CTmin was significantly positively correlated with rainfall. Temperature was retained in both models; however, it did not have a significant relationship in either. Sampling location explained a large proportion of the residual variation, suggesting there are other environmental factors that could influence termite thermal limits. 5. Our results suggest that savanna termite species have wider thermal limits than forest species. These physiological differences, in conjunction with other behavioural adaptations, are likely to have enabled termites to cope with the more extreme environmental conditions found in savanna environments and facilitated their expansion into open tropical environments.Royal Society-DFID/FCDO Capacity Building Initiative; NERC ACCE DTP.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/janeZoology and Entomolog