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

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 Love for Beads among the Ghanaian

Beads were probably the first durable ornaments human possessed. Intriguing objects that one must ask the basic question of what, where, when and how whenever an interesting bead is encountered. Robert K. Liu in Dubin L-S (1995:9). This is because there are bundles of secrets waiting to be unearthed, their philosophy, technology, history; cultural context, economic role and ornamental use are all points of information one must unravel. Beads are small pierced or perforated objects usually spherical that may be strung into necklaces and bracelets or attached to clothing or furnishings. The English word bead is derived from the medieval English word “bede” meaning prayer. The name was first transferred to strung objects used in prayer, such as the rosaries (prayer beads) and then to other kinds of stung objects. Encyclopaedia Americana vol. 3 (1970). Beads have played important role in the beliefs and practices of sympathetic magic, love and fertility charms. Africa, the centre of ancient civilizations has a lot to contribute to the development and use of beads. They have been used throughout ages and in virtually every culture not just for adornment but also to express social circumstance, political occurrences and religious beliefs as a form of currency or as symbolic embodiment of curative powers. Beads are some of the most stunningly attractive and varied items of jewellery. From the breath taking gold designs of ancient Egypt to the exciting renaissance of bead craftsmanship taking place today. Beads have been one of the most popular forms of personal adornment however; they have been much more than jewellery. Beads have been used throughout the world in countless ways: as talismans in prehistoric and contemporary societies: as status symbols in ancient world and in modern Africa: as religious artefacts in the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic faith and in the middle ages, as a standard medium of barter in almost every country. Bead is one of the rich and never – fading assets of the Ghanaian culture. They can be strung with special threads to produce artefacts like bangles, necklaces, earrings and foot wears in the Ghanaian society. Bead is locally produced at Krobo (Somanya) in the Eastern region. Beads are made in Ghana from a mixture of clay and broken bottles with various colorants and passed through fire. There are other forms of bead: Seeds, wood, bones, paper and plastic. Beads can be used for every occasion but really depend on the colour and most importantly bright colour for joyous moments and dark colours for sad events. It is known that beads distinguished particular clan from the other in the Ghanaian cultural set – up and that; ‘Ekuona’ clan of the Akan is characterized by the use of beads for both Sexes. Beads help to shape up and broaden a woman’s hips and make her buttocks heavy and also differentiate a man from a woman. Comparing morality on the use of beads today and long ago, as young ladies of today do not dress properly as it is only their or ones husband who has the authority to see a woman’s beads. Beads are used mostly among the female population, especially around the waist. Generally beads are used to decorate the body. Apart from the waist, beads may be worn as earrings, as necklaces and bracelets: on the wrist, and also on the knee, leg and many other parts of the body. Sometimes the female child is adorned with beads at the joints usually to enhance the development of her shape. Huber, (1993). Described how beads are used in the various rites of passage name: The naming ceremony of the Krobos, in the dipo, marriage and death. Beads are used during puberty rites such as Bragoro of the Akans, Gbotowowo of the Ewes (Eveawo) and Dipo of the Krobos. Beads are used to decorate the dead when laid in state while some also use it to bury their dead. Beads use is most popular among sections of the Ga – Adangmes, notably among the Krobos. The Krobos used to mine beads, they dug for beads from the ground in the ancient days, but this concept of beads found from under the earth has perhaps led the contemporary producers burying their beads in the ground for a year or so for it to cure. This they believe gives the beads longer life and beauty. Among the many places that beads are produced in Ghana are Odumase – Krobo, Asuafua – Asamang, and Sekusua Bamase where beads are made in almost every household. Key words: Beads, Beadwork, Beading, Beadier, Kiln, Chevron Beads

Detoxification of host plant phenolic aglycones by the spruce budworm.

This study examines the post-ingestive fate of two host-plant derived small-molecule phenolics (the acetophenones piceol and pungenol) that have previously been shown to be toxic to the outbreaking forest pest, spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana). We test first whether these compounds are transformed during passage through the midgut, and second whether the budworm upregulates activity of the detoxification enzyme glutathione-s-transferase (GST) in response to feeding on these compounds. Insects were reared on either foliage or artificial diet to the fourth instar, when they were transferred individually to one of two treatment diets, either control or phenolic-laced, for approximately 10 days, after which midguts were dissected out and used for Bradford soluble protein and GST enzyme activity analysis. Frass was collected and subjected to HPLC-DAD-MS. HPLC showed that the acetophenones do not autoxidize under midgut pH conditions, but that glucose- and glutathione- conjugates are present in the frass of insects fed the phenolic-laced diet. GST enzyme activity increases in insects fed the phenolic-laced diet, in both neutral pH and alkaline assays. These data show that the spruce budwom exhibits counter-adaptations to plant phenolics similar to those seen in angiosperm feeders, upregulating an important detoxifying enzyme (GST) and partially conjugating these acetophenones prior to elimination, but that these counter-measures are not totally effective at mitigating toxic effects of the ingested compounds in the context of our artifical-diet based laboratory experiment

Can mindfulness training sustain weight reduction? A retrospective cohort analysis

BACKGROUND: Psychological stress has an established bi-directional relationship with obesity. Mindfulness techniques reduce stress and improve eating behaviours, but their long-term impact remains untested. CALMPOD (Compassionate Approach to Living Mindfully for Prevention of Disease) is a psychoeducational mindfulness-based course evidenced to improve eating patterns across a 6-month period, possibly by reducing stress. However, no long-term evaluation of impact exists. AIMS: This study retrospectively evaluates 2-year outcomes of CALMPOD on patient engagement, weight and metabolic markers. METHOD: All adults with a body mass index >35 kg/m(2) attending an UK obesity service during 2016–2020 were offered CALMPOD. Those who refused CALMPOD were offered standard lifestyle advice. Routine clinic data over 2 years, including age, gender, 6-monthly appointment attendance, weight, haemoglobin A1C and total cholesterol, were pooled and analysed to evaluate CALMPOD. RESULTS: Of 289 patients, 163 participated in the CALMPOD course and 126 did not. No baseline demographic differences existed between the participating and non-participating groups. The CALMPOD group had improved attendance across all 6-monthly appointments compared with the non-CALMPOD group (P < 0.05). Mean body weight reduction at 2 years was 5.6 kg (s.d. 11.2, P < 0.001) for the CALMPOD group compared with 3.9 kg (s.d. 10.5, P < 0.001) for the non-CALMPOD group. No differences in haemoglobin A1C and fasting serum total cholesterol were identified between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The retrospective evaluation of CALMPOD suggests potential for mindfulness and compassion-based group educational techniques to improve longer-term patient and clinical outcomes. Prospective large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the impact of stress on obesity and the true impact of CALMPOD

Implementation of a digital health tool for patients awaiting input from a specialist weight management team

BackgroundDigital tools are increasingly used on a population level as a weight loss strategy for people living with overweight and obesity. Evidence supports the feasibility of digital tools for the management of obesity in a community setting, but there is only emerging evidence for the feasibility of such tools in specialist weight management services. No study has assessed the uptake of digital tools among patients awaiting their first appointment with a specialist weight management service. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to understand interest, acceptance, and engagement with a digital behavioral change platform to support specialist weight management. MethodsThis was an observational study registered as a service innovation. All patients on the waiting list for a first appointment in the tier 3 weight management service at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire National Health Service (NHS) Trust were eligible to access the NHS-approved digital tool. Data on interest and engagement with the digital tool were collected. Routine clinical data were used to describe patient demographics. Focus groups were held to explore patients’ views on the use of digital tools as part of a specialist weight management service. ResultsA total of 199 patients on the waiting list were informed about the available digital tool. Just over a half (n=102, 51.3%) of patients were interested in using the app, with over one-third (n=68, 34%) of all patients engaging with the app. Overall, a third of patients on the waiting list (n=63, 32%) did not respond to the invite and 34 (17%) of patients expressed no interest in the app. Emotional eating and higher BMI was associated with interest in the Gro Health app. Male gender was associated with reduced engagement with the app. There were no differences in interest in the Gro Health app according to age, ethnicity, metabolic measures of glycemia, and lipid profile. ConclusionsIt is feasible to offer digital tools such as Gro Health to patients awaiting their first appointment with specialist weight management services. Future research should explore barriers and facilitators of engagement with digital tools. Additionally, there is a need to further evaluate the effectiveness of such tools in specialist weight management services