Development Of Seminars To Improve Family Relationships And Spiritual Experience Among Ghanaian Emigrant Families In Adventist Immigrant Churches In New England

Problem Family relational problems are on the rise, while family spiritual development is waning in the majority of immigrant Ghanaian churches in the Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It is apparent that the changing dynamics in migration and the acculturation process have a significant impact on family relationships and spiritual experience. While the observation may be anecdotal, it begs for systematic study and improvement. This dissertation project seeks to improve immigrant family relationships and family spiritual development through seminars. Method This dissertation involves the development of a six-session seminar based on the areas of reported concern: family relationships, financial management, spiritual priorities, conflict management, communication, and parenting. A survey questionnaire was developed to corroborate the observed problems prior to the seminar and to test the effect of the seminar six months after its implementation. The pre-test and post-test were administered to families attending the New England Ghanaian, Hartford Ghanaian, and Providence Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist churches of Southern New England. Results The findings supported the hypothesis that there were family relational problems among the subjects, which correlate to the decline in family spiritual experience. The effectiveness of this seminar was evaluated on the basis of its ability to improve family relationships and spiritual development and also the fact that a pastor in a local church can conduct it. Conclusion Healthy families make healthy churches. The participants acknowledged the fact that seminars addressing critical family issues, like the seminar offered, are needed, not only for the Ghanaian churches in Southern New England, but also for all churches on a regular basis, at least biannually or annually. This seminar can be repeated among different ethnic groups and in other countries to establish its generalizability. The impact of migration on family relationships and family spiritual growth needs to be seriously assessed on a wider scale

Optimisation of Operational Parameters of a Spiral Classifier Using Design of Experiment (DOE)

Abstract Classifying Mn Ore to improve upon the grade and the properties has become a crucial activity for the Mn industry since it increases the market value of the ore. Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) has renovated their oxide washing plant by integrating it with a spiral classifier to make a batch system operating process. Particle size of <3.35mm (Mn grade of 43-47%) obtained from the primary section of the plant served as feed to the classifier and with the plant condition (i.e. at 60 min washing time, 30 rev/min speed of spirals and feed tonnage of 6 t), Mn grade of 49% was achieved. This paper focused on the optimisation of some selected operational parameters of the classifier to obtain a Mn grade >50% using Design of Experiment (DOE). Series of test works were designed using the DOE for the classifier using the constraints of washing time (30-90 min), speed of spirals (20-40 rev/min) and feed tonnage (6-9 t). The outcome of the test work after simulation showed that all the selected parameters had a great influence on Mn grade. The spiral speed and feed tonnage correlated negatively to the Mn grade with washing time correlating positively. Operating the spiral classifier at a feed rate, spiral speed and washing time of 6 t, 25 rev/min, and 30 min, respectively, yielded Mn grade of 53%. A Confirmatory test using the established conditions gave a Mn grade of 53%, which is a 4% increment in the previous Mn grade which was 47%. The outcome of the studies is the new established operational conditions which is adhered to by the plant, producing a manganese concentrate grade ranging between 52-54%.   Keywords: Design of Experiment (DOE), Spiral Classifier, Grade, Manganes

Appraisal of some methods of weed control during initial establishment of cocoa in a semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

In appraising the effects of the quantum and quality of weed control required in establishment of young cocoa, six manual methods of controlling weeds were compared with chemical weed control at two stations of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. Growth of cocoa seedlings after 2 years in the field was superior (P < 0.05) in plots which were clean-weeded two or four times per year or treated with paraquat four times per year than when plots were slashed two or four times per year. There was strong evidence to suggest that treatments which ensured a weed-free environment to the cocoa over a long period were favourable to girth increments in the seedlings. Death of seedlings during establishment was generally lower in plots which were either clean-weeded or treated with paraquat. Labour requirement for controlling weeds with paraquat was considerably lower than that required for the other treatments. Considering the equipment and chemical input, paraquat application was expensive compared to high slashing with or without clean-line weeding two times a year, or clean weeding two times a year; but by virtue of its efficacy, it is recommended for cocoa establishment. En évaluant les effets du quatum et de la qualité de désherbage exigé dans la culture de jeune cacao, six méthodes de désherbage manuel étaient comparées avec le désherbage chimique à deux stations de l'Institut de Recherche en cacao du Ghana. La croissance de semis de cacao, après deux années, dans le champ était supérieure (P £ 0.05 ) dans les lots qui étaient complètement désherbés 2 ou 4 fois/an ou traités avec le paraquat 4 fois/an que dans les lots qui étaient entaillés 2 ou 4 fois/an. Il y avait de nombreuses preuves qui laissent penser que les traitements qui assuraient un environnement sans mauvaise herbe pour le cacao sur une longue période étaient favorables aux augmentations de circonférence des semis. La mort de semis pendant la culture était dans l'ensemble plus faible dans les lots, qui étaient soit complètement désherbés soit traités avec le paraquat. L'exigence de main-d'oeuvre pour maîtriser les mauvaises herbes avec le paraquat était considérablement plus faible que celle exigée pour les autres traitements. En ce qui concerne les matériels et les intrants chimiques, l'application de paraquat était chère que les entailles élevées avec ou sans le désherbage complet en ligne deux fois par an ou le désherbage complet deux fois par an mais en vertu de son efficacité il est recommandé pour la culture de cacao. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 40 (1) 2007: pp. 67-7

Rupture of sinus of valsalva aneurysm: Case report

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are uncommon. Aortic sinus aneurysm may be complicated by endocarditis or rupture. A 26 year old native Ghanaian presented with dyspnoea, raised jugular venous pressure (JVP), tender hepatomegaly, peripheral oedema, a thrill and a continuous murmur at the upper left sternal edge. Two-dimensional doppler echocardiography with colour flow mapping revealed a large aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva (4cm diameter) that abutted the right ventricular out-flow tract with distortion of the pulmonary valve. Colour flow revealed left to right shunting of blood from the aortic root into the right atrium. A year later he presented with a febrile illness, weight loss, night sweats and wasdiagnosed as having culture negative infective endocarditis. Following a course of antibiotics, he underwent successful cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with repair of the ruptured aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva

Effects of Group Size on Students Mathematics Achievement in Small Group Settings

An ideal group size is hard to obtain in small group settings; hence there are groups with more members than others. The purpose of the study was to find out whether group size has any effects on students’ mathematics achievement in small group settings. Two third year classes of the 2011 / 2012 academic year were selected from two schools in the Central Region of Ghana for the study.  The two classes constituted the control and experimental groups respectively and consisted of 50 students in the control group and 47 in the experimental group. The experimental group was subdivided into 12 groups made up of groups of 3members, groups of 4 members and groups of 5 members using stratified and simple random sampling. The students’ pre- and post-test scores served as the data for the study. The results of the study showed no significant difference in the mean scores of the three subgroups of the experimental group. Keywords: Group size, Cooperative learning, Achievemen

CONSUMER PREFERENCES AND PURCHASE INTENTIONS FOR RATTAN FURNITURE

Although research on consumer preference and purchase intentions has received significant attention, little research has been performed with respect to furniture products, particularly in the area of empirical hypothesis testing. This study used regression models to test hypotheses relating to positional goods consumption and environmental and sustainable consumption theories to investigate consumers’ preference for rattan cane furniture and their intentions to purchase the product. A questionnaire was administered to 750 staff and students from universities, polytechnics, and research institutions in Ghana. The results showed that social status, modernity, and environmental safety supported the preference and purchase intentions for rattan cane furniture, whereas mixed results emerged from sustainable consumption. The most important driver of preference for rattan cane furniture was modernity, followed byenvironmental safety, social status, and sustainable consumption. In the case of purchase intentions, social status emerged as the most important factor, followed by modernity, and then environmental consumption. Building a positive social, environmental, and sustainable image of rattan cane furniture will enhance the product’s value, and this will culminate in increasing consumers’ preference for the product and their intentions to purchase the product. The study concluded that through market segmentation, manufacturers, and marketers of rattan cane furniture can target consumers who are proenvironmentalists and those who want to use the product to enhance their social image, thereby attracting a price premium

Assessment of the mediating effects of external integration on manufactury firms operational performance

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess both the direct effect of supply chain integration on firm’s operational performance and the mediating effect of external integration (customer integration and supplier integration) on the relationship between internal integration and operational performance among manufacturing firms. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative survey research design was adopted. A total of thirty (30) manufacturing firms were sampled using cluster sampling. The data was collected using questionnaires from 317 employees in the procurement, account and administration units of the 30 manufacturing firms. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the direct and mediation relationships. Findings: The results showed that the relationship between internal integration and operational performance was significantly mediated by external integration. It was established that operational performance could only be achieved when manufacturing firms’ managers pay critical attention to internal and external integration. A Significant positive relationship also exists between supplier integration and operational performance as well as customer integration and operational performance. Originality/value: The unique contribution of the current study is the assessment of the mediating effect of external integration constructs (customer integration and supplier integration) as the mediating variable on internal integration and operational performance

Green Supply Chain Management and Environmental Performance: The moderating role of Firm Size

This study examined the impact of internal and external green supply chain practices on environmental performance among construction firms. The study used the quantitative survey research design in its methodology. A total of 217 employees were sampled from fifty (50) construction firms. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the data. The results showed that green design does not have a significant positive relationship with environmental performance. However, green design has a positive impact on external green practices namely green purchasing and green construction. Green purchasing and green construction have direct positive relationships with environmental performance. Green design through external green practices have a significant positive relationship with environmental performance. The study found that firm size moderates the relationship between green design, through external green supply chain practices and environmental performance among construction firms

Supply chain integration and operational performance in health institutions: A structural model for mediation effects

This study has examined the impact of supply chain integration on operational performance among health institutions. The study assessed the direct, indirect and mediated effects of supply chain integration on operational performance among health institutions in Ghana using the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). In this research, the quantitative descriptive survey research design was used. A total of twenty (20) health institutions were sampled from an accessible population of thirty (30) using the simple random sampling technique. A total of two hundred and fifty-four (254) employees and managers from the health institutions were sampled using the stratified sampling technique. For direct effects, the findings of the study have shown that internal integration positively impacts external integration (customer and supplier integration). Direct positive relationships exist between internal integration and operational performance as well as supplier integration and operational performance. A non-significant relationship exists between customer integration and operational performance. For mediation effects, supplier integration significantly mediates the relationship between internal integration and operational performance, while customer integration does not significantly mediate the relationship between internal integration and operational performance among the health institutions in Ghana. The study has managerial implications for health institutions in strengthening their supplier and customer integrations through advanced database systems to enhance their operational performance

Assessment of trace metal contamination by geochemical normalisation in sediments of two lagoons: A comparative study of the Kpeshie and Muni lagoons, Ghana

Heavy metal contamination status of bottom sediments of two lagoons was compared by the employment of Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis for Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Cupper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn) and Mercury (Hg). Kpeshie Lagoon recorded enrichment (EF ≥ 1) for Cd, Pb, Ag, Hg and Zn, whilst Muni Lagoon recorded enrichment for Cd, Mn, Ag, Hg and Zn as metals of anthropogenic influence. Kpeshie, situated in a highly urbanized area, has 75% spatial distribution of Pb enrichment. The assessment shows that Ag and Hg are the most enriched metals in the sediments of both Lagoons, reaching extremely severe levels. Only Mn showed statistically significant difference in mean concentration of metals for both Lagoons. Pearson correlation matrix indicated that Pb had a strong relation with Ag, Hg and Zn (r = 0.956; p &lt; 0.05) which is significant in Kpeshie. It also had a strong association with Ag and Hg but not with Zn (r = 0.240) in the Muni. The study clearly delineates Pb as a pollutant that designates the urban status of Kpeshie. Its associated metals; Ag, Hg and Zn which may be coming from a common source are from industrialized zones