Concepts of Some Indigenous Pottery Decorative Techniques in Northern Ghana

The aim of this paper was to identify some concepts of indigenous pottery within the three northern regions of Ghana. As a result, emphasis was given to the identification of some concepts of indigenous pottery in northern Ghana. The descriptive approach of the qualitative research methodology was used. Interview and observation methods were employed as the data collection processes to ascertain reasons why they engage in pottery decoration and the concepts behind them. The data was subjected to comparative analyses and the indications were that, the people of northern Ghana make interesting forms of decorative techniques which comes with an authentic concepts. The study revealed that, there are eight identified indigenous pottery decorative techniques which included; incision, impression, stainning, blasting, smooking, perfforation, macrame and modeling. With these techniques the researchers realised that there are some basic concepts behind each and every decorative techniques found on the indigenous pottery. These included; convertions of red ferric ironoxide to black ferric ironoxide, reduction of friction, restriction purposes and movement and handling purposes

The Poetics of Traditional Ghanaian Beads

The use of beads in Ghana is a site for a robust cultural meaning-making Beads have been very popular in the past and are growing stronger in popularity with modernity to the extent that their modern meanings seem to be eclipsing the traditional ones This paper takes us back to their traditional meanings by examining closely their relationship with the wearer Using qualitative instruments of research methodology basically through interviews and participant observation this paper by examining the bead as a cultural text identifies two main relationships between the bead and the wearer the synecdochic and the metonymic relationships Using mainly linguistic theories to interrogating these relationships the paper relying on the entextualization theory of Michael Silverstein and Greg Urban and the performance theory of Richard Bauman discovers that in addition to being objects of aesthetics as the modern meanings mainly suggest the bead has very important traditional meanings The paper also demonstrates that where the bead is placed on the body is a function of traditional meanings Again when the bead is used is also contingent upon traditional meaning

The Craft Industry, Oral Literature and Language in the Development of Tourism in Ghana: Prospects and Challenges

This paper examines the role the craft industry, Oral Literature and language play in the development of tourism in Ghana.  From the study, it was found that all the three are important for several reasons, namely economic value, exchange of information, sharing of experiences or world-views and finally changing biases.  However, lack of outlets and finishing of products constitute major problems. Key Words: Artifact, Cosmo-vision, pragmatic interpretation, equiparable, lyrical interpretation

Maternal and Infant Health Section of the Demographic and Health Survey Report of Ghana

This article is basically a commentary on some sections on infant and maternal healthcare of the 2008 demographic and health survey of Ghana. The attention of both policy makers and academics are drawn to the need to ensure the expansion of the maternal and infant healthcare in Ghana. In same commentary, attention of readers have been drawn to the proclivity of the free maternal health policy to positively shape maternal and infant care in Ghan

Integrated Flower Vases in Clayware and Wood

The local pottery industry faces tremendous challenges from the increasing interest Ghanaian are showing in imported products because of their functional value, quality and aesthetic appeal. This is due among others, to the monotonous approach to production and finishing of indigenous products, conditions that also marred the philosophical impact they are supposed to convey. To overcome some of these challenges the researchers experimented on the integration clay-wear and wood for the production of flower vases. The qualitative research method where observational, experimental and descriptive approaches were employed to investigate the viability of integrating clay-wear with wood for the project. The research unveiled that clay-wear and wood can be integrated in the production of finished products that are functional, aesthetically presentable and of high quality. Besides, it is also proven that with appropriate manipulation through experiment other locally available raw materials can be used to produce products would convey the Ghanaian culture to would be buyers and the outside world. Keywords: Clay, Wood, Integration, Decoration, Production

Maternal and Infant Health Section of the Demographic and Health Survey Report of Ghana, 2008: a Commentary

This article is basically a commentary on some sections on infant and maternalhealthcare of the 2008 demographic and health survey of Ghana. The attention of bothpolicy makers and academics are drawn to the need to ensure the expansion of thematernal and infant healthcare in Ghana. In same commentary, attention of readershave been drawn to the proclivity of the free maternal health policy to positively shapematernal and infant care in Ghana

Physico-chemical Assessment of Drinking Water with Special Emphasis on Fluoride Concentration in the Akatsi-North district in the Volta Region of Ghana

The present article has emerged from investigation into the water situation in three villages in the Akatsi-North district, to test the extent to which expectations of the United Nations (UN) Resolution 64/292 stipulations have been met in this part of the Volta region of Ghana. Thirty-six water samples were collected from twelve different boreholes (three villages) in the Akatsi-North district and analysed for their physico-chemical parameters using appropriate certified and acceptable international standards. Most of the physico-chemical parameters measured were within WHO guidelines for quality drinking water. The results showed that groundwater from two of the three villages were soft with pH ranging from 6.3 to 7.9. Cadmium concentrations for the groundwater samples analysed were above the critical value of 0.003 mg/L. Lead and nickel were not detected while the concentrationsof phosphate (0.50 – 0.53 mg/L) and copper (0.32-0.37 mg/L ) provided basis for the incidence of gastrointestinal and/or purgative effects experienced by most inhabitants prior to questionnaire analysis. Iron concentrations recorded for the three villages were within the ranges of 0.005-0.130mg/L, 0.13-0.23 mg/L, and 0.85-1.41 mg/L for Ave Xevi, Ave Afiadenyigba and Ave Etekorfe respectively. Mean concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, CO32-, and total alkalinity obtained for the three villages were (112, 168, 517) mg/L, (68, 112, 208) mg/L, (49, 80, 256) mg/L, and (220, 260, 380) mg/L respectively. Fluoride concentrations were low (0.07 mg/L and 0.16mg/L) for two of the three villages which may be responsible for the incidence of tooth decay among the inhabitants

Mineral composition and assessment of human ingestion risk of twelve accessions of Moringa oleifera Lam

Increasing consumption of moringa leaf powder in Ghana is boosted by popular claims that the plant contains a rich array of minerals, vitamins and other protective substances. However, the safe doses of this product among gender classes and vulnerable groups are unknown. This knowledge gap demands an analysis of the mineral composition of the product and estimation of the risk (hazard) potential associated with the ingestion of dried leaf samples of the moringa plant. Mineral composition (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn, Cr, Fe, Cu and Zn) of dried leaf samples of twelve accessions of Moringa oleifera Lam. was determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry aided by a fast sequential Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Results of the study indicate that the samples showed variation with respect to macro and micro minerals content and that dried leaf powder of moringa can serve as an excellent source of minerals. Additionally, an estimation of hazard exposure calculated as hazard index presented overall indices of 0.0866 and 0.0443 for males and females respectively. Even though the values (0.076-0.097; 0.038-0.051) obtained from the samples are within safe limits, it is essential that consumption of moringa leaf powder is done on sound advice from a nutritionist since crucial factors such as gender, age, health status and exposure time contribute to individual dose needs and influence mineral toxicity

An evaluation of the benefits and harms of antenatal corticosteroid treatment for women at risk of imminent preterm birth or prior to elective Caesarean-section: an individual participant data meta-analysis.:Study protocol

Background: Antenatal corticosteroid treatment (ACT) has been widely accepted as a safe, beneficial treatment which improves outcomes following preterm birth. It has been shown to reduce respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal mortality and is commonly used in threatened or planned preterm delivery, as well as prior to elective Caesarean-section at term. There are some concerns however, that in some cases, ACT is used in patients where clinical benefit has not been established, or may potentially increase harm. Many women who receive ACT do not deliver preterm and the long-term consequences of ACT treatment are unclear. This study aims to evaluate the benefits and harms of ACT using latest trial evidence to allow refinement of current practice. Methods: This study will compare ACT with placebo or non-treatment. Inclusion criteria are: Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) comparing ACT vs. no ACT (with or without placebo) in all settings. Exclusion criteria are: non-randomised or quasi-randomised studies and studies comparing single vs. multiple courses of ACT. Main outcomes are to evaluate, for women at risk of preterm birth or undergoing planned Caesarean- section, the benefits and harms of ACT, on maternal, fetal, newborn, and long-term offspring health outcomes. The individual participant data (IPD) of identified RCTs will be collected and consecutively synthesised using meta-analysis with both a one-stage model where all IPD is analysed together and a two-stage model where treatment effect estimates are calculated for each trial individually first and thereafter pooled in a meta-analysis. Sub-group analysis will be performed to identify heterogeneous effects of ACT across predefined risk groups. Discussion: Co-opt is the Consortium for the Study of Pregnancy Treatments and aims to complete a robust evaluation of the benefits and harms of ACT. This IPD meta-analysis will contribute to this by allowing detailed interrogation of existing trial datasets. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020167312 (03/02/2020

Using GIS for spatial exploratory analysis of borehole data: a firsthand approach towards groundwater development

Groundwater is an inimitable resource that provides water to communities especially in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the spatial variability of the resource as well as the heterogeneity and complex nature of aquifer systems that store groundwater presents difficulties for groundwater development. Thus, understanding the spatial structure of aquifer characteristics could be used as a resourceful tool and as a first point of call towards groundwater development. The study investigated aquifer characteristics particularly on transmissivity and specific capacity to determine how aquifer characteristics could be used in making predictions for new sites that need to be identified for potential groundwater development. Prediction maps were developed for transmissivity and specific capacity using ordinary kriging J-Bessel and exponential semi variograms techniques. The study revealed that 28% of the study area had high potential for groundwater development with transmissivity ranges of 34.40 – 46.52 m2/d. Equally, viable areas of 16% and 20% were identified with transmissivities of 27.99 – 34.39 m2/d and 13.07 – 19.47 m2/d respectively. Based on specific capacity, 21% of the study area was identified to have groundwater development potential with corresponding specific capacity of 13.54 – 20.7 m2/d. Similarly, 24% and 34% of the study area were also identified to be good for the exploitation of groundwater with corresponding specific capacities of 8.74 – 13.55 m2/d and 5.52 – 8.74 m2/d respectively. In terms of spatial structure, transmissivity was found to be variable compared to specific capacity. The application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is thus considered to be an immeasurable tool that could be used in mapping aquifer characteristics that can serve as firsthand information for groundwater development.Keywords: Spatial, Groundwater, Transmissivity, Specific capacity, Kriging, Semivariogram