110 research outputs found
The Role of Pragmatics in Social Cohesion and Nation Building in Africa
This paper navigates into some areas covered under pragmatics as one of the newest areas in linguistic studies in African universities. We will first have a survey of the theories and practices paying attention to speech acts, pragmatic acts, impoliteness/politeness and face, and socio-pragmatics. The other areas to be covered include lexical pragmatics, discourse markers. The next section will cover the application of the theories and discuss pragmatics and politics, looking at political discourse, pragmatics and the media, pragmatics and pedagogy, and pragmatics and culture with emphasis on ethnopragmatics. The final section will pay attention to pragmatics and literature, intercultural communication, health, agriculture, trade, religion, performing arts, pragmatics, and all forms of speeches and interactional contexts. The method for investigation is purely based on secondary data from works by African pragmaticists. We have suggested some recommendations for the expansion of teaching, research, and publication of pragmatics in Africa
Fictional Characters and Toponyms in Kwabena Adiâs âBrakoâ
This paper examines the creation and use of fictional characters and fictional toponyms in Akan literature, both written and oral. The emphasis is however on a book entitled Brako in Akuapem Twi by Kwabena Adi (1973). The paper looks at the characters and places created by the author and the fictional names given to them. We will analyse the morphology and semantics of these names looking at what they connote, their appropriateness, precision and socio-cultural functions within the Akan society. The paper will then be able to evaluate the creativity of the author and his in-depth knowledge of the Akan language and culture. The paper is based on the theory of onomastics that looks at names and what they connote
Proverbs and stylistic devices of Akwasi Ampofo Agyeiâs Akan highlife lyrics
This paper examines the stylistic features and proverbs in Éba nyansafo wÉbu no bÉ na wÉnka no asÉm, âA wise child is spoken to in proverbsâ a popular Ghanaian highlife song by the late Akwasi Ampofo Agyei. This is an area which is still grey in the study of highlife music. The paper basically adopted qualitative methodology through interviews and recordings. The paper combines the theories of language ideology and ethnomusicology, and looks at the indispensable, didactic and communicative functions of stylistic devices and proverbs in Akan highlife. These tropes as forms of indirection help the musicians to comment on very delicate issues. They depict the musicianâs communicative competence in the Akan language, cultural beliefs, worldview and social structures. The paper further reflects on the relative absence of proverbs in current Ghanaian highlife. The stylistic devices and proverbs in the song are subjected to ethnomusicological, stylistic and pragmatic analysis
Perceptions of Building Occupants on Effectiveness of Practiced Damp Remediation Measures in Ghana
This study sought to assess the perceptions of building occupants on the level of effectiveness of some practiced damp remediation measures in Ghana through a questionnaire survey of 5,100 inhabitants living in buildings in eleven major towns in Ghana. The study employed the average weighted model where the average effective scores of all the damp remediation measures studied were considered by the inhabitants as highly ineffective. However, the rankings of these measures by their Effective Index Values based on the level of effectiveness attached to each measure by the respondents showed that using damp proof courses and membranes and construction of aprons at the base of walls showed some level of effectiveness in their application to address the problem of dampness in residential buildings in Ghana. These findings call for the urgent need for all stakeholders in Ghana and other tropical countries to educate building occupants on the need to satisfactorily address the problem of dampness in buildings. Keywords: dampness, Effectiveness, inhabitants, measures
An Ethno-Pragmatic Analysis of Humour in Akan Draughts Games
Humour is an important aspect of human behaviour and communication. However, it is one of the least studied phenomena in Akan linguistics. This paper, therefore, offers an ethno-pragmatic analysis of humour in the Akan draughts game called Dame. It focuses on the types of humour, the linguistic strategies used in creating humour and the functions of humour in the game. Data were gathered through non-participant observations of the game and semi-structured interviews. The paper shows that participants of the game generally resort to teasing in the form of jocular mockery and jocular abuse. This is done through the use of stylistic devices like metaphor, allusion, sarcasm and simile, as well as other linguistic strategies like rhetorical questions and songs. Contextual cues such as laughter and giggles are employed to signal the evocation of a humorous frame, and as such, insults and ridicule should be perceived as âthis is playâ. Through the application of the Superiority Theory, we argue that participants often use insults and ridicule, which generate humour, to demoralize and spread fear in a losing contestant while boosting the confidence, competence and importance of the winning contestant. Rather than generating tension and conflict, this language use engenders bonding and strengthens group cohesion
Challenges to Fire Safety Management in Multi-Storey StudentsââŹâ˘ Hostels
Fire safety management plays an important role in enhancing the safety of buildings against fire outbreaks. The persistent increase in fire related issues amongst studentsââŹâ˘ hostel accommodations calls to mind the role hostel management and occupants play in order to ensure complete safety of lives and properties. Controlling fire outbreaks is associated with a lot of challenges. This study presents the results of a questionnaire survey which sought to assess the perceptions of students on challenges to fire safety management in multi-storey studentsââŹâ˘ hostels around the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology campus. The findings from the study revealed that, problems with electrical wiring and installations, inadequate water distribution systems, inadequacies in the fire departments, passive attitudes of owners/management towards housekeeping and maintenance, and passive attitudes towards personal fire protection are the five critical challenges to effective fire safety management in the hostels. The results further showed that, fire insurance policies, fire evacuation plans, and regular maintenance and housekeeping, are all measures which when put in place can mitigate the outbreak of fire. Identifying the challenges to effective fire safety management and implementing measures to control such challenges should assist in the control of fire outbreaks in studentsââŹâ˘ hostels and other buildings
A THEORETICAL REVIEW OF LEAN IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN CONSTRUCTION SMEs
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are considered the backbone of many economies. SMEs constitute over 90% of global enterprises and account for about 60% of employment. However, SMEs still suffer from many problems, such as low product quality and working efficiency, budget overruns, and substantial construction waste. Lean construction has increasingly been implemented as a potential solution for organisations to deal with waste of all types. The aim of this article is to suggest lean tools that can be implemented within the construction SME set-up. A systematic review of empirical and theoretical studies obtained from ResearchGate, International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) conference proceedings, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), Emerald Insight, Taylor & Francis Group, Google Scholar, and other Internet sources was conducted in this study. This paper was based on four hypotheses, which are related to construction SMEsâ capacity to implement lean as efficiently as large enterprises do. The study found that lean was applicable in construction SMEs, but that it has to be contextualised within the peculiar characteristics of the SME, such as its size, financial capabilities, organisational culture, and human resource capacity. The paper concluded by recommending lean tools such as 5S, A3 problem solving, and 5 Whys, which require less monetary investment to be implemented by construction SMEs. A change of mindset is needed for lean implementation, as there is still a low rate of lean adoption among SMEs
Environmental Considerations in Procurement Decisions: A Literature Review
Public organizations have the potential influence of procuring environmentally preferable products because such organizations are often the biggest customers within a country. Public organizations are required to take environmental considerations in all phases of the procurement process. The need to improve organizational efficiency, reduce waste, overcome supply chain risk, and achieve competitive positions have made companies to start considering environmental issues from a competitive point of view. Procuring organizations are more seriously involved in designing and implementing sustainable procurement policies by focusing on how environmental issues can be integrated in the procurement process activities. However, a clear understanding of environmental considerations and how it can be applied to the procurement process is still lacking, especially in a developing country like Ghana. This paper is a literature review which seeks to examine the environmental requirements applied in the procurement of goods in order to enhance sustainable public procurement in a developing country like Ghana
Factors influencing the performance of safety programmes in the Ghanaian construction industry
Although proper safety management in construction is of prime importance, evidence from literature suggests that many developing countries do not consider safety adequately. This article examines the factors that influence the performance of safety management programmes in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. The objectives set to achieve this aim include identifying the safety elements incorporated in the safety programmes of construction firms, and determining the factors that negatively influence the performance of such elements. For objectivity, a quantitative survey was conducted among safety managers of 60 D1 building construction firms located in the Kumasi and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. The questionnaire was structured into three parts, which sought the respondentsâ profile, identified the safety elements incorporated in the firmsâ safety programmes, and identified the factors that negatively influence the performance of the safety elements. Following a detailed literature review, the respondents were asked to rate 13 elements and 17 factors on a Likert scale. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. In addition to determining the reliability of the various constructs, the MSs, modes and standard deviations were obtained. The findings revealed that all of the 13 elements were incorporated in the firmsâ safety programmes. The key elements identified include âproviding safety managers on siteâ; âproviding written and comprehensive safety and health plansâ; âintroducing project-specific training and regular safety meetingsâ; âproviding safety and health orientation trainingâ, and âinvolving employees in safety and evaluationâ. The findings further revealed that 16 of the 17 factors negatively influence the performance of the firmsâ safety programmes. The identified factors were, among others, âinsufficient communication of safety programmesâ; âlack of workersâ self-protection and awarenessâ; âcontractors ignoring safety, due to the time pressures of the project scheduleâ; âpoor personal attitudes towards safetyâ, and âineffective laws and lack of enforcementâ. Findings from this study should be useful to construction practitioners seeking to improve the safety records of their firms. 
Regeneration of Sub-Saharan Africaâs open market places: a case for Guileless stakeholder participation
Sub-Saharan Africaâs urban culture makes open marketplaces an essential part of life in their cities. What goes on in these markets undoubtedly opens them up to threats of adversity, tragedy, and other significant sources of stress. How can these open marketplaces be regenerated into resiliently sustainable places? From a case study of the regeneration redevelopment of the largest open-air market in West Africa i.e. Kumasi Central Market, the need for stakeholder participation in the entire regeneration process is emphasised. The determination of the most important stakeholders during the regeneration of the market is followed by a comparison of the regeneration process regeneration with the literature on urban regeneration, sustainable development, participation, and project management. Lessons learned, and the concerns raised by major stakeholders in the process creates certain project management approaches essential for achieving resilient urban regeneration. Identification of all important stakeholders by the consideration of their attributes of power, legitimacy and urgency and distrustfully engaging all stakeholders is vital to the success of any urban regeneration project
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