Land-cover change monitoring in Obuasi, Ghana: an integration of earth observation, geoinformation systems and stochastic modelling

For over twenty years, Obuasi Municipality, Ghana, has experienced land-cover change arising from gold mining and urbanisation. This project quantified the land-cover changes that have taken place and projected likely future land-cover. An integration of Earth Observation (or EO), Geographical Information Science (or GIS) and Stochastic Modelling was examined. Post-Classification Change Detection employed Landsat TM or ETM+ images from 1986, 2002 and 2008. Subsequently, Markov Chain Analysis projected the land-cover distribution for 2020. Seven broad land-use and land-cover classes were identified and mapped, namely: built-up areas; mine sites; tailing ponds; barren land; forestland; farmland; and, rangeland. The results obtained for the 2008 to 2020 projection revealed a continuous expansion of built-up areas (1.63%), mine sites (0.89%) and farmland (3.4%), and a reduction of forestland (4.17%) and rangeland (2.59%). Despite the advent of very high resolution satellite imagery, this use of EO and GIS technology focussed on low-cost and lower resolution satellite imagery, coupled with Markov Modelling and was found to be beneficial in describing and analysing land-cover change processes in the study area, and was hence potentially useful for strategic planning purposes

Learner perceptions in design critiques: impact on creative development

This paper is an exploratory study on the use of criticism as pedagogical tool in Communication Design studio to support creative development. The quantitative research method was used to explore the role of the teacher in design critiques and how learners perceive criticism, critiquesand teacher interaction on their skill and knowledge acquisition. The study was conducted bearing in mind the social factors in the design studio. The study is also limited to the perceptions of Communication Design students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.The subjects for the study comprised undergraduate students of the Department of Communication Design. A structured questionnaire was administered using purposive sampling method to select 140 students. The results revealed that studio critique was a valued activity and that participationin critique was shaped by some social factors such as rapport and perceptions of shared critiques among participants especially in large-numbered classes

Learning: The role of aesthetics in education

The study is qualitative and it drew on the historical research method, descriptive and case study methods to examine the link between learning, art, and the creative nature of children. Its aim is totransmit the value of art in enhancing creativity through aesthetics in children and consequently enhance their learning. Thus, the study through the use of document analysis (analyzing the artworks of the children), what the children had to say about their works, interviews and the observation tools throws light on how effective learning could be when taken in the context of art to boostcreativity in children; and also enable the teacher to identify some activities that could or should be incorporated in the teaching of children. Since creativity is increasingly gaining recognition as ahuman characteristic that can be (and should be) developed through education, there is the need to make conscious efforts to develop children’s creativity and learning through art education. This way,teachers do not necessarily produce children who would by all means become artists but rather creative children who can transfer the skills they have learnt through art to other subject areas and in effect to all other facets of their lives

The Impact of Globalization on The Arts in Contemporary Ghana

Cultural diversity has now become a fact of life in today’s global village and many people have been experiencing the negative effects of the globalization process. The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of globalization on certain aspects of the arts in the Ghanaian cultural milieu in recent times. The study is guided by preliminary qualitative studies based on formal and informal interviews, direct observations, questionnaire administration and review of pertinent documents. The data collected was analyzed against the backdrop of Ghanaian cultural diversity as far back as the pre-colonial era. The study revealed a number of positive and negative impacts of globalization on the visual arts, architecture, the performing arts, music, film and language. The study also brought up polysemous issues that boarder on the positive and negative influences of globalization on the arts. Globalization has been found to be analogous to carrying porcupine in a haversack, a task which is a combination of joy and pain or often associated with good and evil – in fact, a necessary evil in the Ghanaian context. This paper concludes that it is a sine qua non for Ghana to be part of the global village in today’s cutting-edge information and technological awakening, but it is equally imperative to be circumspect and strike a symbiotic balance that will help retain true Ghanaian cultural values void of moral crises, violence and drug abuse

Design and Production of Trophies for Selected Sports and Games in KNUST

Design and production of trophies for games and sports particularly in a form of metal art has been in existence for so many years. Presently they are practiced with much improvement and modern technology as compared to the ancient times where leaves, horns and other objects were used as trophies to award warriors and those who excelled in other sporting disciplines. Trophies are said to be prizes or cups which are given to an individual, a group of people or a nation for performing excellently in any sporting activity such as tennis, football, volley ball, basket ball and horse racing etc. Today, trophies serve so many purposes, such as, a souvenir of remem-brance; as a stool for one to look at and strive for excellence in life as well as financial gains. KNUST does not have its own trophies for the Sports and Games they engage in. This publica-tion seeks to display the design and subsequent production of four trophies for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to enhance the prestige of its awards and solve some related problems. The technique for production is the lost wax. Metal scraps such as brass and copper were the main materials used for the production. Especially the lost wax technique of production was very efficient and effective in the production of the trophies. Experimental and Descriptive Research methods based on the quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed. It is recommended that Metalsmiths and other Metal Artists as well as students experiment with other materials and techniques in the production of trophies to bring variety in the field of trophy production.Keywords: Trophies lost wax, metal scraps, sports and game, KNUST

A Historical Review of Diseases and Disease Prevention in Gold Coast: A Focus on Asante (1900-1957)

The history of any community cannot be written without paying attention to the issues that shaped the lives of the people. One of the pertinent issues in history has been disease infestation and how it has been prevented or cured. From the earliest time, man has faced the challenge of meeting his health needs. The constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “the state of physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.[1] This definition underlines health as an integral part of what a people need in order to realize their full potential and derive satisfaction from life. Oral traditions have shown that the people of Kumase and Asante as a whole faced the challenge of providing health care from very early times. In fact, all humans have in one way or the other shown resilience in fighting anything that has the potential of threatening their existence including diseases. [1] D. Longley, Health Care Constitutions, (London: Cavendish Publishing Ltd, 1996)

Achieving a Goal of Distinction in your Dress

The aim of this paper is to identify the essential and vital information about body proportions, body assets and body liabilities so as to realize the good features to emphasize and the flaws to improve through effective optical illusions in clothing. This study was based on the premise that many people disregard their proportions and figure types and just go for any style of dress that may not befit them. In order to achieve the above aim, pertinent literature was reviewed, and interviews conducted to investigate whether or not people consciously select their clothes on the basis of their body proportions. Thirty (30) ladies were interviewed and observed. The result was that the population studied was not individualistic in their dresses. The people had diverse criteria for selecting their clothes which largely excluded consideration of their body proportions. In discussing the results, personality analysis chart was designed for use of fashion conscious persons. This is in relation to the proportions of identified fashion models, average figures and some philosophy on ideal beauty. Besides, design elements which serve as effective tools for optical illusions and recommended design ideas for shaping selected figures have been provided to guide people to go for the most appropriate dress styles that are distinct and individualistic. Keywords:Proportion, personality analysis, optical illusion, distinct dressing. Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 28 (2) 2008: pp. 133-14

Land-cover change monitoring in Obuasi, Ghana: an integration of earth observation, geoinformation systems and stochastic modelling

For over twenty years, Obuasi Municipality, Ghana, has experienced land-cover change arising from gold mining and urbanisation. This project quantified the land-cover changes that have taken place and projected likely future land-cover. An integration of Earth Observation (or EO), Geographical Information Science (or GIS) and Stochastic Modelling was examined. Post-Classification Change Detection employed Landsat TM or ETM+ images from 1986, 2002 and 2008. Subsequently, Markov Chain Analysis projected the land-cover distribution for 2020. Seven broad land-use and land-cover classes were identified and mapped, namely: built-up areas; mine sites; tailing ponds; barren land; forestland; farmland; and, rangeland. The results obtained for the 2008 to 2020 projection revealed a continuous expansion of built-up areas (1.63%), mine sites (0.89%) and farmland (3.4%), and a reduction of forestland (4.17%) and rangeland (2.59%). Despite the advent of very high resolution satellite imagery, this use of EO and GIS technology focussed on low-cost and lower resolution satellite imagery, coupled with Markov Modelling and was found to be beneficial in describing and analysing land-cover change processes in the study area, and was hence potentially useful for strategic planning purposes

Exploring the use of suede dye on leather

The indigenous leather tanners in Ghana lack access to variety in dyes and colourants, this limits the ability of their products to meet the demands of the market. Meanwhile, their livelihood highly depends on the sales of leather and leather artefacts. This study found it imperative to find alternate dyestuffs that are easily obtainable and comfortable to use by local tanners and leather users. The experiment on the use of suede dye on leather was done in three formats. In the first format, suede dye and salt were dissolved in warm water and a sheet of leather was immersed in the solution. In the second format, dye and alum were dissolved together in warm water after which leather was immersed in the solution. In the third experiment, two different colours were mixed separately with alum in warm water and used on the same leather, one after the other. In all cases the dyed leather was rinsed in cold water to remove excess dye and then dried under a shade. The resulting work did not bleed or stain, and was found to be light-fast. Theexperiments proved that suede dye could be used as a colourant for leather

Exploring Traditional Glass Bead Making Techniques in Jewellery

Exploring traditional glass bead making techniques in jewellery in some prominent areas in Ghana is a means to exposing the area for metal and ceramic artists and other related fields of discipline such as aesthetics and criticism to complement their form of art for a better livelihood and diversification in jewellery. There are several methods for producing glass beads in other countries. Emphasis is placed on traditional technique in some areas in Ghana as well as the processes involved which are mostly identified by the indigenous or traditional glass bead makers. Materials for glass bead making are very cheap and readily available as compared to other materials for bead making such as metal, stone and others. One needs not become an artist before engaging in glass bead making, because the techniques or skills involved are not complex and can be learnt easily. Glass bead making techniques and their mass production will help the individual and the nation to earn foreign exchange from the export market. This publication, therefore, seeks to demonstrate and expose the traditional techniques of glass bead making to artists in Ghana and other parts of the world. It is also a means to solving the problem of export diversification from traditional exports such as gold, timber and cocoa to compete with other products on the world market. This will as well complement other forms of local jewellery for export in Ghana. Experimental and Descriptive research methods were used. Critical observation of the materials, tools, equipment and the technique were paramount in this research. Interviews were also conducted to authenticate the facts gathered. It is recommended that artists, institutions and the small scale industries attach much importance to the production of glass beads for livelihood and export by improving on the techniques of production.Keywords: livelihood, vitreous, glass bottles, furnace, threadin