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- ItemArt Therapy as an Intervention to Mitigate the Traumatic Effects Experienced by Victims of Human-Trafficking: A Case(KNUST, 2017-06) Aba-Afari, SarahHuman trafficking is a crime that has become a notorious phenomenon and iconic for contemporary slavery. It is premised on life distortions caused by wars, frequent interferences in democratic governance by the armed forces and natural disasters affecting the supply of essential commodities for which reason, many people suffer deprivation. This development creates opportunity for criminal gangs to exploit the vulnerable especially, women and children. In spite of the stringent laws at both national and international levels aimed at preventing the crime, several media reportages in Ghana revealed intermittent rescuing of human trafficked victims by the Ghana Police Service and some NGOs. The aims of the study were to identify and describe the causes of human trafficking in Ghana and their types and also to examine the existing social interventions available for victims of human trafficking and their effectiveness in dealing with the trauma associated with human trafficking. Additionally, the study aimed to determine how Art Therapy can be used to assist victims to recover from their trauma, since preliminary investigation indicated that these rescued victims exhibit series of traumatic dispositions at the police stations due to the trauma they suffer. The Qualitative and quantitative research designs were adopted to collect data on human trafficking. Case Study, Phenomenological Study, approaches were used together with interview, observation and questionnaire as instruments to determine trauma and its effects on these rescued victims. Whereas, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the population for the study. Content Analysis was also adopted to review the available social interventions and their effectiveness to deal with trauma of victims; whereas, Art Therapy was used to induce non-verbal communication of these voiceless, emotionally buttered and traumatised victims through drawing sessions and the artworks produced revealed the instabilities suffered in their emotional world. Through directed and non-directed themes in drawing, victims were observed to consistently, get releases as they shred various levels of traumatic dispositions and were healed emotionally and their attitudes resumed normal functioning. Art Therapy was identified to be effective in mitigating trauma of human trafficked victims. Their growth of healing was demonstrated through their artworks. Efficacy of Art Therapy in healing buttered emotions was revealed as these human trafficking victims were observed to regain their lost-selves and identity, which enabled their successful v reintegration. The methodologies applied facilitated the identification of causes and types of human trafficking prevalent in Ghana. Also the social interventions available for victims and limitations to their effectiveness in dealing with trauma associated with human trafficking were identified. The study has established Art Therapy as an effective intervention in healing the remote stressors that resulted into emotional instability of human trafficked victims. Further, the study outcomes indicated that Poverty, Religious Issues, Gender Roles and Abusive Parents were the major causes of human trafficking in Ghana. The study also revealed that the Social Protection division of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection was under resourced in terms of human and logistics so could not effectively perform its mandated duty of offering professional counselling services leading to reintegration as required by laws. The use of Art Therapy was identified to be effective, cost effective and a timely intervention in dealing with trauma experienced by human trafficking victims and it was observed to have multi utility effects in addressing trauma. For this effectiveness, cogent and logical conclusions and recommendations were made to the Government of Ghana and, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to incorporate Art Therapy as a complementary intervention to counselling services so as to accelerate the healing process of human trafficked victims to normal functioning. The Government of Ghana was encouraged to recruit Art Therapists to offer services to victims.
- ItemArt Therapy in Special Needs Education: A Case of Autism in New Horizon Special School in Accra(KNUST, 2017-08) Esi Saah, GracevictoriaInclusive Education (IE) has become very necessary in education today, and the increasing prevalence of cases such as autism and the fear of autistic individuals missing out on quality education to assist them attain their full potential as they get integrated into society cannot be denied. Unfortunately, the Special Educational Needs Policy of Ghana does not include a curriculum for teaching autistic children. Autism schools and teachers in Ghana are compelled to use curriculums that may not suit the needs and learning styles of autistic learners or adopt curriculums of other jurisdictions. This study investigated how autism teachers teach and autistic learners imbibe instructions, and the therapies used at the New Horizon Special School at Cantonments in Accra, Ghana. The study also explored the world and characteristics of autistic learners and how they function, and how the inclusion of Art Therapy as an intervention may be helpful in teaching autistic learners at the New Horizon Special School, as studies have proved its efficacy in this regard. The research being qualitative was quasiexperimental and descriptive in nature, and adopted observation and interview as data collection instruments. These helped to identify and describe the characteristics of autistic learners at the school, the instructional strategies and existing therapies employed in the school, and their influences or impact on the education of Numeracy and Literacy. It also facilitated the description of Art therapy sessions, processes and outcomes on the behaviour and coping skills of autistic pupils were also described. Purposive, cluster and simple random sampling techniques were adopted for the study; sampling 21 participants comprising 9 autistic pupils each in the senior and junior autism classes, 2 autism teachers and 1 sensory coach. The study identified art therapy as a worthy inclusion in the education of autistic individuals. Therefore, a series of art therapy sessions were conducted for autistic learners in groups and individually during which their behavioural differences were observed. The art of the autistic learners was interpreted for the development of an art therapy inclusive teaching model for autistic individuals. The model was pre-tested and was found to enhance the communication and personality of the autistic learners while improving classroom management. Typically, aggressive and hyperactive pupils had better control of their emotions through art therapy in Numeracy and Literacy education. Therefore, Art therapy was proposed as a worthy intervention in the education of autistic learners at New Horizon Special School
- ItemAsante Folklore and Kumasi Kiosk Architecture:a Visual Exploration of Hybridity and Mythography(KNUST, 2009-02) OPPONG, E. T.This studio-based research improvises on the architectonics of Kumasi kiosks. I present the ensuing body of artefacts as a working prototype which joins on-going cultural conversations on hybridity in contemporary art. The typical Kumasi kiosk is referenced as a site for negotiation of boundaries in its design, setting and function, but I have also made allusions to suggestions of hybridity and boundary negotiation in the polyvalent structure of Asante myth and folklore. I made a close study of three hundred kiosks located in the urban quarters of Kumasi. I also engaged such thinkers on hybrid spaces as Homi Bhabha , Jacques Derrida, Michael Foucault, Stuart Hall, Paul Gilroy, etc, to discourse on Asante mythology. I laid emphasis on the myth of ɔhyeεni (ɔhene-king), a patriarchal figure who negotiates boundaries, Asante and Akan filial kinship narrative from Asante history. I employed a personal technique of painting, -Aberphoh, which is a reconfiguration of abstract expressionist and surrealist genres. Asante art forms laden with their myths, some of which visually portrayed mythology, especially the totems, were also studied as the basis upon which art works were recreated in the form of paintings on sculptural structures created with plywood. I used the Asante myth of Abubu-mmabaa to explore the structural dialogue of inside and outside in my hybridized artefact. I have also presented an iconographic catalogue of totems and symbols which appear on the inner and outer surfaces of my structures. I present my project as an artefact to be contained in a gallery space as well as a structure or site which contains other artefacts. Like the Kumasi kiosk, these structures are not intended to be permanently site-specific. Each is collapsible and foldable and thus portable to any possible location for re-erection and exhibition. It is a cross genre installation interfacing painting, sculpture, architecture, poetry and performance.
- ItemConstruction of a Texturing Device for Managing Surface Defects of Locally Produced Vegetable Tanned Leather(2017-11) Sefaah Tabi, JenniferLeather surface quality is very vital when it comes to leather artefact production. Leather surface defects reduces the surface quality of leather thereby affecting the value of the leather products on the market. In view of this, this research emphasizes the need to utilize leather surface defect management techniques which is keen as it tends to improve the surface quality of the leather and its products at large. The study identified various defects and management methods which are currently implored by leather users to manage surface defects. The research further designed, produced and tested the efficacy of an alternative leather defect management device. This intervention was adopted based on the assertion made by Allman (2012-2016), Deines (2014) and Anon (n.d.) that texturing contributes quality to surfaces and their appearance by improving and correcting surface imperfections. By employing the qualitative methodology to address the problems identified the research used arguments and suggestions to advance the fact that texturing truly improves and corrects surface imperfections in some leather defects. Defects which could be corrected include grain loosening and wrinkled surface defects. Defects like holes and patched remained as they are after the intervention. Cuts, molds, and parasitic infections were slightly nullified. The study further recommended other researchers to take it upon and develop different textures to test effectiveness of varying textures for various leather surface defects.
- ItemThe Contributions of International Development partners to rural poverty reduction in Ghana: a case study of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (ifad) and small-holder farming in the Sekyere-West District, Ashanti Region(2009-07-15) Asamoah K., KennedyAlthough available statistics in recent years reveal a decline in poverty in Ghana, many people still live below the poverty line. Rural small-holder food crops farmers are the most vulnerable groups affected by poverty. They have limited access to productive assets, most especially micro-credit. Many international development organisations have emerged to help alleviate some of the problems encountered by the rural poor. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as an international development partner in Ghana, has been working with small-holder farmers in the Sekyere West District since 2000 with the aim of improving rural income, reducing vulnerability, ensuring rural household food security and generally improving the well-being of the rural poor. This thesis examines the effects of IFAD’s project on food crops production, employment as well as income levels and the general welfare of small-holder farmers in the District. A random sample size of 240 IFAD assisted farmers in the District was used to undertake the study. Cross-sectional data covering the farming years (2000 – 2004) were elicited from the farmers through structured interviews and focus group discussions. Information such as sources of financing, farm input, farm size, crop yields and income levels were sought from the farmers. The study revealed that IFAD, as enshrined in its policy statement of ensuring gender equity in the distribution of its resources/assistance (IFAD, 2000), equal number of male as that of female small-holder farmers (approximately 50-50 respectively) were selected in the District to participate in the project. The study also showed that majority of the farmers interviewed depended on farm income as their main source of subsistence. Micro-credit provision was particularly seen as the most important factor influencing food crops production in the District. The study also showed that the effective training and monitoring activities of IFAD field staff ensured that resources given out to the farmers were not misappropriated. The study showed that the project registered a high food crops production rate as well as a high loan repayment rate of the farmers. Furthermore, the study revealed that the average income of beneficiary farmers increased considerably over the project period due to the good marketing strategy introduced by the project. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the government should adopt and replicate the IFAD intervention scheme in all the other districts in Ghana since the project could have a multiplier effect on the livelihood of the rural poor especially the small-holder farmers.
- ItemFramework Development for Integrating Information and Communication Technologies Into The Ghanaian Senior High School Visual Art Curriculum(2010-07-15) Degraft-Yankson, PatriqueWithin the past decade, efforts at integrating ICT into the school curriculum have become popular in the country's educational institutions. Even before the government of Ghana, on the basis of the Anamuah-Mensah committee on education, recommended ICT infusion into the educational system, there were far-flung ICT integration attempts initiated by Parent/Teacher Associations, Old Students Associations, non-governmental organizations and some ICT related establishments. This indeed is a clear manifestation of how conscious Ghanaians have become about the importance of ICT in institutions of learning. Unfortunately, however, a close observation of the emergence of ICTs in Ghanaian Senior High Schools seems to lack definite goals for teaching and learning. Besides, attempts at ICT integration are happening so independently that the extent to which its infusion or introduction (to phrase itrealistically) is benefiting education of the students is uncertain. It is for this reason that a Curriculum Framework aimed at developing the use of ICTs in the teaching and learning of Visual Arts in Ghanaian senior high schools is considered essential. This study begins with an examination of the opinions and knowledge base of Art teachers and students about ICT and Art Education. It also explores the educational goals of existing ICT progarmmes in Ghanaian Senior High Schools which focus on conventional computing that only enables students to use a narrow range of software that have very little benefit for the Visual Art student in particular. The study further seeks the views of ICT experts, curriculum planners/reviewers, teachers and other stake holders concerning effective integration of ICT into the teaching and learning of visual arts in the senior high schools. Two key dimensions emerged from the views sampled from Visual Art teachers, students, curriculum reviewers and ICT experts: (1) Motivation for ICT integration and usage, based on (2) Curricular and pedagogical innovations. Despite the divergence in opinions, beliefs and attitudes, Visual Art teachers and students seem ready and highly motivated by the promises of new technologies to use ICTs. However, this can be possible only when efforts are formally put in place to ensure innovations in pedagogy through a qualitative change in the existing Visual Art curriculum. The outcome of the investigations formed the rationale for developing a Framework for Integrating ICTs into the Ghanaian Senior High Schools Visual Art Curriculum. The framework aims at exposing students in the Visual Arts to relevant basic skills that are required to develop their computer literacy skills beyond word processing, ultimately developing their creative thinking skills through information and communication technology.
- ItemHousehold Energy, Coping Strategies and Health Effects in the Bongo District of Ghana(2009-07-14) Odoi -Agyarko, Aba ObrumahCurrently millions of people around the globe rely on wood as a source of fuel for cooking. Although this situation not only pertains to impoverished rural communities, it is within these communities and in developing countries like Ghana that this is occurring the most. The burning of wood in open fires is causing a number of health problems but is also deteriorating for the rural household economy as well as for the local and global environment. Women and children are the main groups exposed to the indoor smoke produced while cooking. Illnesses as a result of this exposure take millions of lives every year. This thesis looks into the relationship between rural household energy consumption patterns, coping strategies and health effects for domestic cooking in the Bongo district in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Several methods including household survey; focus group discussion and key informant interviews were employed to collect data at household and individual levels. The methods involved queries on several aspects of household energy consumption. The survey of household energy consumption pattern was carried out in fifteen communities comprising of 625 households between January-April 2006. The households surveyed covered heterogeneous population belonging to different income, educational and social groups. Daily average concentrations of respirable particulates and carbon monoxide from woodsmoke in 45 rural homes selected through stratified random sampling from the Bongo district in Ghana was also quantified using UCB Particle Monitors. CO was measured with Onset HOBO Loggers. Graphical, cross-tabulation and multinomial logistic regression methods are applied to data drawn from Household Survey. The results indicated that there was more availability and utilization of solid biomass fuels as energy resources in domestic sector as compared to the commercial fuels. Crop residues, firewood and Charcoal were found to be the three main fuels used for cooking, though LPG was also used along with biomass fuels. But complete conversion to cleaner fuels has not taken place yet even in households that has been using LPG for many years. Income was an important factor determining the choice of fuel for cooking, but there were some socio-cultural factors which were equally important in making fuel preferences at household level. The use of biomass fuels; from it collection to combustion also has impacts on the health of the user. Result from the woodsmoke monitoring shows that the values of respirable particles (PM2.5) ranged from 0.05–6 _g.39mg/m3 and 2.90- 45.60ppm for CO. Both PM2.5 and CO concentrations were well above both the World Health Organisation 24-hour Guideline and Interim Targets. Observed health effects from the collection and use of biofuels included eye discomfort, headache, backache, coughing, skin irritation, stiff necks and chest pains. Extrapolation of diseases with PM concentration showed that households were in a higher risk of being infected with respiratory diseases from the use of biomass fuels. This observation confirms with the self-reported symptoms associated with biomass fuel use where respiratory diseases dominated (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, eye irritation). Considering that traditional biomass will likely continue to be the most popular cooking fuel in rural areas of the district in the near future, and that households can achieve considerable welfare gains from improvement in stoves and kitchen ventilation, the analysis suggests that the government should consider reviving the improved stove program with a new advanced stove strategy coupled with conducting advocacy campaigns on how to improve kitchen ventilation.
- ItemSchool-based enterprise and school –to – work transitions in fashion and textiles vocations: a conceptual model for HND CBT Fashion and Textiles Programme in Ghanaian Polytechnics(JUNE 2015) Crentsil, TimothyIn 2001, JICA upon request of Ghana Government completed the Study for Development of a Master Plan to Strengthen Technical Education in the Republic of Ghana. The JICA Study recommended the introduction of CBT into Polytechnic Education as a means to correct growing mis-match between skills of trained graduates and competencies needed in industries. Based on this recommendation the NPT/NUFFIC CBT Curriculum in Fashion and Textiles dubbed ‘Design and Production of Fashion and Textiles’ was started in 2004/2005 and was successfully piloted and evaluated in October 2009. Preliminary research showed that the new HND CBT Fashion and Textiles curriculum had deficiencies in practical entrepreneurial competencies. This deficiency was identified by stakeholders during the final evaluation of three years of piloting the curriculum at Accra Polytechnic (NUFFIC NPT/GHA/046 CBT Project for Fashion Design, Accra Polytechnic 2009). The deficiency revealed a glaring gap that needed urgent attention. The review also established that productive education which to a large extent equips trainees with trade and industry skills has long existed, but its implementation has not been widespread. This established the framework for the study with the purpose of seeking approaches to incorporate PBCs into the new HND CBT Fashion and Textiles curriculum to address the entrepreneurial gap, while making attempts at filling the void created by the low implementation drive of SBEs. The objectives of the study were to: examine selected best practice approaches to CBT business education in fashion and textiles; examine the structures and activities of Polytechnic Fashion and Textiles Production Units as potential components of SBE for HND CBT Fashion and Textiles; and lastly, to develop a conceptual model of SBE as part of the HND CBT Fashion and Textiles programme in Ghanaian Polytechnics. The study was a mixed method approach (qualitative and quantitative) and employed the descriptive-survey and case study methods. Interviews, self-administered sets of questionnaire and observatory excursions were used to gather data after-which descriptive analysis was done by deriving associated themes. The themes constituted specific headings under which the responses gathered were assembled and discussed. The study revealed that currently the HND Fashion and Textiles programme is less related to actual world of work and that graduates do not exhibit PBCs on the job. This meant that the programme is not demand- iv driven and also lacked much needed business orientation and focus. The best practice approaches of relating formal training in fashion and textiles to actual working practices outside school was to adopt adult learning methods, which were found to be multi-faceted and heavily practice-based. The study revealed that SBEs can guarantee acquisition of PBCs by students in fashion and textiles academic programmes. This establishes that SBEs could be integrated into the new HND CBT Fashion and Textiles curriculum to enable trainees acquire the needed PBCs to be industry relevant. This outcome confirmed earlier findings by Stern et al. (1994), Gugerty et al. (2008), Stratton (2008), Smith et al. (n.d.) and DECA (n.d.) that SBEs are effective in ensuring productive education with adequate transferable skills that graduates can utilise in their future jobs. The existence of production units attached to HND Fashion and Textiles programmes in Polytechnics have great potential and promise for conversion into SBEs. Based on these existing foundations a conceptual model of SBE has been developed for incorporation into the new HND CBT Fashion and Textiles curriculum. The components of the model are; SBE Curriculum Plan which proposes two practice-based courses (Enterprise Practice I and II), an SBE Business Plan and Guidelines for Implementation and Operation of the SBE. It is concluded that since majority of HND Fashion and Textiles graduates struggle to establish themselves and practice successfully in the manufacturing and core business sectors of the fashion and textile industry, they need additional skills to fit into the core business sectors of the industry. If PBCs can be acquired, then it means that a lot of competency areas are left uncovered by the school system that planners and trainers must re-visit. The school therefore does not exhaust the training of HND Fashion and Textiles graduates if training is limited to intellectual learning and technical skills acquisition while remaining silent on business related skills. As a recommendation, an intervention that could save the situation is to focus on incorporating SBEs into the new HND CBT Fashion and Textiles curriculum. The school should be fashioned as a mini-workplace where problem solving and critical thinking is encouraged for productive learning of trainees. This makes it imperative to adapt the concept of SBE as part of the CBT/Learning approach.
- ItemStudies on Chuchuru, a Socio-Cultural Practice and its Effects on Social Development in Navrongo Traditional Area in the Upper East Region(KNUST, 2017-11) Azumi Atigah, TheresaThe chuchuru phenomenon is a cultural practice of the Kasena-Nankana people in the Navrongo traditional area of the Upper East Region. It is a practice where children born with congenital abnormalities are declared to be chuchuru and this leads to their execution since they are seen to be carriers of evil and misfortunes to their families and the community at large. An investigation by Anas Arimeyaw Anas led to the arrest of some of the concoction men, yet, very little has been done to expose the negative effects of the practice and to put an end to it. The research methods used are qualitative approach and descriptive method. The research techniques employed are interviews, focus group discussion and observation; pictures were taken regarding the chuchuru practice. The scope of the study has been limited to seven communities in the Navrongo traditional area such as Namolo, Vunania, Biu, Kologo, Wuru, Pugu, and Naga. The study also revealed the barbaric and cruel cultural practice which the accused children passed through. The interviewees were of the view that something needs to be done to abolish the practice among the people of the area to save the lives of the innocent children killed all the time. The community stands to benefit from this study due to the recommendations made to Community Based Organization, the Government Agencies such as the CHRAJ and the National Commission for Civic Education to extend their programs to cover the community so as to bring cultural sanity to the inhabitants.
- ItemThe Aesthetic and Socio-Cultural Values of Selected Akan Traditional Games(KNUST, 2017-08) Mariwah Kwame, CharlesTraditional games are structured games with rules and regulations governing them. No special equipment is needed for playing such games and they are usually accompanied by songs. They reflect the values and beliefs of their parent cultures. In the past Akan traditional games used to play very important role in Bono culture. Traditional games which were formerly played by the youth in basic schools and homes instilled upright and good moral values in the youth. However, its attributes appear to be fading nowadays. Ghanaian youth especially Drobo traditional area are unaware about the aesthetics in the Akan traditional games and how such games can impact positively on their socio-cultural lives. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to educate the youth on the aesthetic and socio-cultural values of selected Akan traditional games for awareness creation among the people of Drobo for its revival. The objectives of the research were to identify and describe selected Akan traditional games, the aesthetic qualities and socio-culture values in the Akan traditional games among the people of Drobo traditional area of Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana. Qualitative design and descriptive research method were used and the instruments employed were interviews and observations. The sampling technique adopted were purposive and convenience. The target population for the study was fifty (50) comprising traditional Chiefs and Queen Mothers, Sub-chiefs, and Opinion Leaders in Drobo traditional area. The total sampled size was 23 which consist of traditional chiefs and queen mothers (3), sub-chiefs (8) and opinion leaders (12). The findings on The selected Akan traditional games played among the people of Drobo traditional area were: Antoakyire, Ampe, Mpeewa, Sansankr]ma, Karikokoo, Pempenaa, Hwehw[ mu k]yi wo d]fo, Teele (As]), Ahyehy[aba, Adenkum, Story-telling, Oware and Dame. The aesthetic qualities found in the Akan traditional games were: Balance, variety, repetition, space, movement, colour, dominance, unity, harmony, rhythm and contrast. The Akan traditional games depict socio-cultural values such as; friendship, unity, sense of belongingness, communal spirit and education. It is recommended that the people of Drobo traditional area should encourage the youth to play the selected Akan traditional games in their communities, cultural festivals should be organized in the schools on these selected Akan traditional games for the people to appreciate the identified aesthetic qualities in them and the processes involved in the playing of the selected Akan traditional games should be documented to improve the socio-cultural lives of the people of Drobo Traditional Area.