The pragmatics of NPP presidential campaign promises in Ghana’s 2008 elections

The paper discusses election campaign promises under Commissives, an aspect of Speech Act Theory, and Political Discourse Analysis (PDA). It considers the importance of context and looks at the social settings that are connected with promises. It examines the semantics, pragmatics and the structure of campaign promises. The paper focuses on the top two of the seventeen aspirants of the then ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) who ran the race for the presidential slot to contest in the 2008 general elections in Ghana. The paper finds that persuasion, rhetoric and commissives are used to influence voters (party delegates).Keywords: campaign promises, commissives, Political Discourse Analysis (PDA), Media Discourse, persuasion, rhetoric

The Ethnopragmatics of Akan Compliments

In this paper I examine compliments in Akan from an ethnopragmatic point of view. I analyse Akan compliments within the framework of politeness. I consider the ethnographic situations within the Akan society where compliments are employed. The areas where my data was collected include Akan adverts, Akan football commentary, classrooms, praise poetry for chiefs, public speeches, folksongs, dance and hunting. I look at types of compliments, namely, (1) appearance, (2) character and comportment, (3) performance and (4) possession. I also examine the structure and language of compliments, response to compliments and functions of compliments

The pragmatics of ‘Mouth’ metaphors in Akan

The paper addresses the semantic shifts, extensions and metaphorical use of ano ‘mouth’ in Akan (a Ghanaian language). It focuses attention on the semantic patterns and pragmatic nature of the metaphor and its usage in a variety of contextual features. In Akan, the body part expressions and bodily functions have extended meanings that still have some relationship with the original words. The body parts thus act as the productive lexical items for the semantic and metaphoric derivation. I will consider the body part ano from its physical and cognitive representations. The paper also looks at the positive and negative domains of ano, ‘mouth’ expressions. The data are taken from Akan literature books, the Akan Bible and recorded materials from radio discussions. The paper illustrates that there is a strong relation between a people’s conceptual, environmental and cultural experiences and their linguistic systems. Key terms: cognitive semantics, semantic change, pragmatics, metaphor, body-part languag

Characteristics of a crystalline granitic aquifer in north-western Ghana

The groundwater potential of north-western Ghana has been assessed in terms oftransmissivity and specific capacities of the basement aquifers. Data from short-term and constant-discharge pumping tests on 14 boreholes were analysed. The Cooper-Jacob straight line analytical methodwas used to determine the aquifer characteristics. The computed  transmissivity values of the aquifers varied significantly from 0.37 to 44.5m2 d-1 ; with their specific capacity values ranging from 1.04 to 56.7 m3 d-1m-1 • The storage coefficient from four observation boreholes  indicated that the aquifers were under confined conditions with values in the order of 10-5• Total head losses of the boreholes anributed to laminar and turbulent flows ranged from 28 per cent to 84 per cent. The aquifer characteristics confirm that groundwater occurrence is localised, confinedand controlled by the development of secondary porosity. Therefore, to obtain adequate water for sustainable use, groundwater abstraction in the study area should be preceded by extensive geophysical investigations using integrated methods

Perceptions of Quantity Surveyors on Challenges to and Benefits of Incorporating Information Technology in Quantity Surveying Practice in Ghana

This paper aimed at examining challenges and benefits associated with the incorporation of information technology (IT) in Ghanaian Quantity Surveying practice. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out to solicit the views of 45 Chief Quantity Surveyors of quantity surveying firms in Kumasi and Accra on the issues under investigation. Data obtained was analyzed by mean scores. The findings from the study revealed that Microsoft project, Autodesk Quantity Takeoff, Masterbill, In-house software and QSPlus are the most frequently used quantity surveying softwares in quantity surveying practices. The results further showed that ‘inadequate training and education in the use of IT tools’, ‘high cost of innovation/learning a new technology’ and ‘inadequate or erratic power supply’ are the top most challenges to the adoption of IT in QS practices. Increase in productivity through streamlined data entry and management, increased productivity through automated quantities and cost calculations and improved savings in operation cost are among the benefits perceived to be associated with the adoption of IT in Quantity Surveying practice. Identification of the challenges and knowing the benefits associated with the adoption of IT should encourage industry practitioners to embrace the future prospects of IT adoption

Perceptions of Undergraduate Construction Students on Industrial Training in Ghana

Ghanaian universities’ curricula, which have provisions for industrial training (IT), have not made the expected impact on graduates to meet the expectations of the construction industry. This paper assesses the perceptions of undergraduate construction students on IT in Ghana, its challenges and possible measures to overcome them. The study employed a structured questionnaire survey of 185 final year construction students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. Data analysis was based on mean scores of factors evaluated and the t-test was used to assess the significance of the differences between students’ performance before and after undertaking IT. Students are of the perception that IT exposes them to real work environment and increases their job prospects among others. Students’ satisfaction level with their performance on personal attitude, communication and work attitude significantly improved after undergoing IT. Students are, however, not satisfied with their departments’ involvement in IT, particularly, with regards to placement and monitoring. Stressful placement processes and financial strain on students are some of the challenges identified.Keywords: Industrial training, perception, construction graduates, Ghana

A holistic survey of dampness in a six bedroom residential apartment

As one of the most damaging failures that occur in buildings, dampness in all its forms affects both old and modern types of buildings. As an important function, buildings should seek to prevent water penetrations and give envelop to their occupants. This study adopted a holistic approach to dampness surveying to identify and document the areas in a six bedroom residential building severely affected by dampness. A case study approach which involves a three-stage protocol of damp investigation, thus visual inspection, non-destructive tests using a moisture meter and destructive testing was used in the study to identify and document areas in the building severely affected by dampness. The results from the visual investigation showed that dampness was seen on the external and internal walls of the building and was accompanied by symptoms such as damp patches in horizontal bands, blistering of paint, surface efflorescence, stains and in some portions mould growth. A further investigation with the moisture meter showed that the problem was very pronounced in the walls located in the western orientation. Also, destructive tests revealed that the dampness in the bathrooms and kitchen were due to plumbing leakages and rain water penetration respectively. Further research on affected buildings situated in different ground conditions is recommended. This study should serve as a platform for further studies to be conducted on the building in order to trace the visible evidence back to the actual seat of the problem. In so doing, it should provide a platform for all stakeholders in the construction industry to come together to address this common but dangerous problem.Keywords: Dampness, residential buildings, plumbing leakage, rising damp, water penetratio

Environmental performance indicators for assessing sustainability of projects in the Ghanaian construction industry

PURPOSE: Recent reports based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) have revealed that no country is in line with achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, with the slowest progress being witnessed mainly on goals that are focused on the environment. This study examines environmental performance indicators for assessing the sustainability of building projects. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of ten environmental sustainability indicators. One hundred and sixty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these indicators from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively, and via inferential analysis. These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with six interviewees who are fellows of their respective professional bodies, a senior academic (professor in construction project delivery) and a government official. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data. FINDINGS: The findings from the study suggest that all the indicators were important in assessing building projects' environmental sustainability across the entire life cycle. Key among the identified indicators is the effects of the project on “water quality, air quality, energy use and conservation, and environmental compliance and management”. The interviewees further agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified indicators for assessing the environmental sustainability of building projects in Ghana. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Compared to existing studies, this study adopts the exploratory sequential design to identify and examine the critical indicators in assessing the environmental sustainability across the entire lifecycle of building projects in a typical developing country setting, i.e. Ghana. It reveals areas of prime concern in the drive to place the local construction industry on a trajectory towards achieving environmental sustainability

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Water Quality Status Within The Anchorage Space of Tema Harbour, Ghana

Marine pollution is attributable to anthropogenic introductions of contaminants above their natural background levels and being dispersed by ocean forcing. Assemblages of vessels within offshore platforms and seaport terminals could also be potential sources for marine water contamination. As such, nearshore perimeters of the Tema Port were assessed to review the vessel register and the seawater quality through Automatic Identification System (AIS), in-situ and laboratory analysis. The results of analysed satellite data suggested ~1,600 commercial vessels of over 50 flag states including Ghana were present in the West Africa territorial waters between 2016 and 2020. Bacterial load shows the following order: total heterotrophic bacterial [THB] (364-468 cfu/mL) > total coliform [TC] (26-73 cfu/100 mL) > faecal coliform [FC] (1-13 cfu/100 mL). Phytoplankton species abundances were in order Ceratium spp. (31.8%) >Protoperidinium spp. (30.1%) > Dinophysis spp. (9.3%) > Coscinodiscus sp. (7.3%) > Lingulodinium polyedra (6.9%) = Nitzschia sp. (6.9%). Water temperature ranged between 23.9 and 27.5 oC (surface to 25.4 m depth), salinity 36.03 ± 0.51‰, dissolved oxygen 6.54 ± 0.94 mg/L and pH 8.18 ± 0. 06. Phosphate, ammonia, Cd, As, and Pb levels were low (0.01 to 0.153 mg/L). Nitrate, silicate and Mg were relatively high (0.7 - 2.18 mg/L). Pearson correlation coefficient displayed 0.05 and 0.01 significant levels between total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity and salinity, and dissolved oxygen and temperature and arsenic levels. Normalization physicochemical data suggested thermal stratification at 15 m depth. Nutrient and biological results indicated normal water quality conditions, however, relatively high levels of phytoplankton including harmful and toxic species suggested excess nutrient contamination in the study area. Further assessment is recommended to ascertain the link between phytoplankton and nutrient load at the anchorage space.&nbsp