Utility of Skins and Leather in Selected Chiefs’ Palaces in the Ahanta Traditional Area

The Ghanaian chieftaincy system is embedded with rich cultural heritage that is sometimes expressed through art. Only few documentation have been focused on skin and leather related articles in chieftaincy; with notions of whether skins and leather feature in chieftaincy practices in the South of Ghana oblivious to many as these have not been voiced out. This paper presents and discusses findings with regard to the utility of skins and leather in selected chiefs’ palaces in the Ahanta Traditional Area. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample population of 16 respondents from whom data was collected using observation and interviews as tools. Findings from the study showed that skins and leather featured prominently in chieftaincy practices in the study zone as ceremonial, body and household items; but documentation of this information was limited. It is recommended that findings from this study be placed at the library of institutions such as the Ahanta Traditional Council, Ghana Tourist Authority and Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts as reference material for academics and students of Visual Arts, African Studies, Tourism and Arts and Culture to access. Keywords: Skins, Leather, Ghanaian Chieftaincy, Art Forms

Fashioned for Fashion, the Dynamic Culture of Bamboo in Ghana

This piece of writing on fashioned for fashion, the dynamic culture of bamboo in Ghana, attempts to examine the nature of bamboo as material for fashion accessories. It also attempts to expose a comprehensive impression bamboo have created in Ghana, at the same time describing meticulously selected fashion accessories that have been made out of bamboo in Ghana. The writers explained that bamboo is a lively material which can be used as complementary material in a self-motivated and adoptable process in product development, which has a social heritage component as well as a sacred aspect. Some of the conclusions drawn are that bamboo art is a constituent of our incorporated systems and tradition, and has undergone remarkable transformation. Keywords: Bamboo, culture, fashion preservation, biodegradation, tradition

Dirai Sulfur Fumigation Facility for Small-Scale Rattan Craftsmen in Ghana

For Ghana to be competitive in the global rattan handicraft industry, it is a sine qua non to ensure that the aesthetic quality, structural strength and durability of the products are in the top notch. Descriptive survey studies have, however, shown that about 85 % of small-scale manufactures in the rattan industry in Ghana do not fumigate rattan stems against biodegradation because they cannot afford standard large scale fumigation facilities. The objective of this research material is to design and construct an appropriate effective and efficient sulfur fumigation facility as a solution to the poor fumigation methods adopted by small-scale local craftsmen, and some research institutions that use rattan stems as raw material in Ghana. A high fuming preservative and sulfur treatment facility was designed and built with locally obtainable materials - mild steel plate, locally composed high density insulating bricks, metal mesh, compressed fiber gasket and locally manufactured regulated gas burners rated at 160, 000 joules. Twenty-four hour sulfur fumigation of rattan stems from the innovative facility showed remarkable vivid chromatic change and invulnerability to pests, borers or fungi. Keywords: Rattan, sulfur, fumes, preservation, biodegradation

Factors Affecting ICT Adoption in Tertiary Institutions in Ghana: A Case of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Ghana as a country has made ICT its cornerstone for development, this is evident from its ICT policy of ICT4D; part of this policy is to promote ICT in schools in other to turn the country into an information society. This study is to help understand the factors affecting ICT adoption and use in tertiary institutions in Ghana. This is an imperial study utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The study showed that perceive usefulness and ease of use is a primary factor driving ICT adoption. The study also revealed that ICT is not fully integrated in teaching, research and learning at KNUST. A major obstacle is that though most users are aware of the potential benefits they are not ready or unwilling to fully embrace ICT. Several factors were also identified including inadequate infrastructure and skills to use ICT. The study recommended that management of Tertiary Institutions in Ghana must have a clear model of integration that will help to increase the adoption and use of ICT in their institutions. In fact, the integration of ICT is associated with several factors that encourage and discourage the use of ICT which the researcher termed as enabling forces and restraining forces. Therefore, to increase the rate of ICT adoption, Tertiary Institutions need to improve the encouraging factors and reduce the discourage factors to a minimal. Keywords:ICT Adoption, Tertiary Institutions, Ghana, Model of Integration, ICT4D

Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to Heavy Metals in Soils from Informal E-Waste Recycling Site in Ghana

The objective of this study is first, to investigate the level of heavy metals in soils from Agbogbloshie e-waste processing site (AEPS), the degree at which these heavy metals contaminate the area and finally, to assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk of heavy metals on workers and residents in around the AEPS. 132 soil samples were collected from the study area and the samples analyzed for Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn heavy metals after appropriate preparations were made. Results of the analysis showed mean concentrations of Cd, Cr and Ni considered as carcinogenic were lower than permissible levels of Dutch and Canadian soil standards. Mean concentrations however of Cu, Pb and Zn were between 100% and 500% higher than the permissible levels. Assessment of the degree of Contamination indicated Ni<Ba<Co<Cr<Zn<Hg<Cu<Cd<Pb in an increasing order as contributing to the degree of contamination with according to the degree of contamination index the burning, dismantling, residential and commercial considered as very highly contaminated. The health risk analysis of individual heavy metals in soil indicated non-carcinogenic risk of Cr, Hg and Pb with hazard index above the safe level of 1 in the burning and dismantling areas and as such could trigger neurological and developmental disorders in children less than six (6) years

Temperature Changes in the Brain of Patients Undergoing MRI Examination

Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanners have become important tools in modern day health care. During the imaging process, total radiofrequency power is transferred from the RF coil to the brain tissues resulting in increase in temperature in the subject being imaged. Currently, reliable and validated means to predict RF heating are not unavailable.This research was conducted to determine temperature changes in the human brain during MRI examination.This study was carried out at two MRI Units in Ghana. One hundred and twenty-six patients were investigated. Data collected include pre- and post-scan tympanic temperatures and specific absorption rates values. The average pre- and post-scan tympanic temperatures measured for Centre A were 36.

ART EDUCATION FOR LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS: CASE STUDY OF VISUAL ARTEFACTS PRODUCED BY HEARING-IMPAIRED PUPILS OF TETTEH OCLOO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

Formal education becomes most authentic, inclusive, and learner-centred when Art is at its forefront. The Arts provide learners with authentic learning experiences that engage their minds, hearts, hands, and entire bodies. The general relevance of Art education for learners with special educational needs has been variously and solidly argued by previous studies. However, much is not known about the creative artefacts of learners with special educational needs. The focus of this qualitative case study was to artistically appreciate selected visual artefacts produced by hearing-impaired pupils of Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf located at Adjei-Kojo, a suburb of Accra in Ghana. Adopting triangulation of instruments (semi-structured interviews, field observation &amp; photography), the study gathered in-depth data from sixteen (16) purposively sampled respondents with findings analysed using qualitative descriptive tenets. The study ascertained that the Creative Arts subject is dedicatedly taught in Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf by Art specialist teachers. As a result, the study observed that the hearing-impaired primary pupils of Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf were able to produce intriguing Visual artefacts (ranging from drawings/painting, clay work &amp; papercraft). Aesthetic appreciation of some of the artefacts revealed that the works represent the oral accounts of the pupils’ worldview of salient experiences in their immediate social and physical environments. It is recommended that the Art specialist teachers of Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf should continue to teach the Creative Arts subject with dedication as this would nurture and inculcate the needed creative, innovative, and inventive skills onto the pupils for responsible adulthood.  Article visualizations

Temperature Changes in the Brain of Patients Undergoing MRI Examination

Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanners have become important tools in modern day health care. During the imaging process, total radiofrequency power is transferred from the RF coil to the brain tissues resulting in increase in temperature in the subject being imaged. Currently, reliable and validated means to predict RF heating are not unavailable.This research was conducted to determine temperature changes in the human brain during MRI examination.This study was carried out at two MRI Units in Ghana. One hundred and twenty-six patients were investigated. Data collected include pre- and post-scan tympanic temperatures and specific absorption rates values. The average pre- and post-scan tympanic temperatures measured for Centre A were 36.

Determination of dose delivery accuracy in CT examinations

Volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) represents an average dose within a scan volume for a standardized CTDI phantom. It is a useful indicator of the dose to the standardized phantom for a specific examination protocol. Dose index (CTDIvol) for head and body PMMA phantoms have been estimated in this study and comparison made with corresponding console displayed doses. The study was performed on 40 slice CT system, and measurements were done with 100 mm long pencil ion chamber connected to an electrometer. Doses were estimated using the AAPM Report 96 formalism. Estimated dose for head scan technique (120 kV, 150 mAs) was 44.30 mGy, deviating from the console displayed dose by 4.49%. The body (pelvic) scan technique of 120 kV and 100 mAs produced a dose estimate of 20.08 mGy in the body phantom, deviating by 3.05% from the console displayed dose. The estimated head and body phantom doses were compared to selected international dose reference levels and varying deviations were observed