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- ItemNational Art Gallery, Accra(1986-06-26) Hayford, Joseph E.This resort constitutes an essential complement to the design thesis providing the essential verbal support for the thesis development from concept to design solution. The first chapter introduced the subject of designing an art gallery, establishing the need and social role-of such a facility and the service it renders to the community. The scope of the design thesis was established here. The second and third chapters of the report dealt with the state of Ghanaian art today, an assessment of existing gallery facilities and the existing structures for the administration, finance and promulgation of the arts in Ghana. The fourth chapter discussed systems of financing artistic activity and the practical element of financing a national art gallery, its brief, what its functions, and activities will be etc. Matters of site selection and chosen site properties are presented in the fifth chapter. In chapter six, the approach for evolving an organising principle by which some conscious form can be arrived at for the art gallery is presented. This involved a detailed study of art expression in African sculpture and how this might be suitably harnessed for the purpose. Three examples of art galleries were treated as case studies in chapter seven these being preceded by a historical assessment of arg art galleries. The rest of the report was then devoted to presenting all aspects of the design solutions proposed for the national art gallery.
- ItemCash Management: A Case Study of logs & lumber Ltd, Kumasi(2000) Osman, Halidu Babamu
- ItemA comparative study of public and private schools in the provision of quality education at the basic level in urban centres in Ghana(2002) Asiedu, SamuelIn spite of the considerable state funding and donor support to public basic schools in Ghana, trends in academic performances indicate a low level of performance in public schools. Private schools with little or no assistance from the state performed better academically than the public schools between 1996 and 2000. The study compared the private schools with the public schools with the view of finding the factors that contribute to the poor academic performances in public schools. The educational process was analyzed as a system composed of educational inputs, process, and output. Eight public and five private schools selected from two urban centres namely Sunyani and Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region were compared. The results of the study indicated that parents’ investments and support in their children’s education were higher in the private schools than the public schools. The study also found that the parents’ investments and support were influenced by the socio-economic background of parents namely income, education, occupation and status. The physical infrastructure of the public schools especially the buildings and classrooms had deteriorated due to neglect and lack of maintenance. Teaching and learning materials in the public schools were inadequate because they depended on government free supplies. The private schools, on the other hand, had adequate textbooks and stationery as well as the teaching materials and equipment. This was due to the fact that parents bought the textbooks and stationery for their children. The proprietors also bought teaching materials and equipment for their schools In conclusion, the study suggested among other things that awareness be created for parents, chiefs and their elders, Churches, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the general public to support the public schools in the provision of their needs. Pupils, in public schools should be supplied with textbooks and be allowed to send them home for use The instructional time for students must be increased by increasing the length of the school term. The public school buildings should be rehabilitated to make them attractive. Parent- Teacher Association should be strengthened in the public schools to ensure parents support for the schools development.
- ItemAdherence to anti-hypertensive medication regimens among patients attending the G.P.H.A. Hospital in Takoradi - Ghana.(2006-08-08) Jambedu, Haruna AhmedBackground: Adherence is the extent to which a person’s medication-taking behaviour coincides with the healthcare providers’ medical advice. It includes both dosing regularity and timing of intake. Many physicians face the problem of non-adherence among their hypertensive patient population. During the first year of treatment 16 – 50% of patients stop taking their high blood pressure medications. Overall, it is estimated that only about 30 – 50% of patients with hypertension adhere precisely to their hypertension medication regimens. Adherence is important in the treatment of hypertension Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the extent of non-adherence to hypertensive medication regimen in G.P.H.A. Hospital, Takoradi. The reasons for non-adherence in the study were also evaluated. Methods: A prospective study of 150 hypertensive patients on medication for at least 6 months, who reported at the OPD of this hospital, was carried out. The Morisky questionnaire was administered to the patients and reasons for non-adherence sought. Pregnancy related hypertensive patients were excluded in this study. Results: The study revealed that total adherence to anti-hypertensive medications regimens was 19.3% and partial or medium adherence was 49.3%. Hence the adherence rates (i.e. those who took their medications ≥ 75%) to anti-hypertensive medicines in the institution was 68.6% and the non-adherence rate was 31.4%. The major reasons for non-adherence were forgetfulness (45.4%) by the patient to take medications on time or missed doses and side effects of the medications (20.8%). Finance (10.4% was also a problem for the paying patients who have to make up-front payment to re-fill their medicines. Conclusion: The prevalence of adherence among hypertensive patients in this health facility was 68.6%. Thus, indicating the need for adherence counselling.
- ItemEvaluation of the visual art programme in the Western Region of Ghana(2006-08-08) Quayson, Susana AkuaThis thesis aimed at evaluating the Visual Art programme in the Western Region of Ghana and was concentrated within Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA) and the three Wasa districts, namely, Wassa West, Wasa Amenfi East and Wasa Amenfi West districts. It was to ascertain whether the programme was offered in the selected SSS; the subjects taught whether syllabuses were covered, the facilities or human and material resources available to the programme, and how society upholds to the programme. The research started with review of related literature and discussed information from the various books. The researcher conducted a survey in the selected SSS visual art departments, assessing the quality of the programme. The lapses of the programme were analysed and suggestions made for improvement of the quality of the programme. Students, teachers and heads of selected institutions answered questionnaires, they were interviewed and observed to assess the teaching and learning, infrastructure, logistics, patronage or social recognition, general students’ responses; performances both internally and externally, general atmosphere and perceptions about the programme. It was realised the programme is not pursued in most of the schools in the region. The only district where most of the schools offered VAP is SAEMA. Most schools do not have good facilities to qualify them for the running of the programme. The study conducted within the Wasa districts revealed only one school offered the programme and there were some lapses in the organisation of visual art in that school. Emphasis was on the teaching of Textiles and Graphic Design with other subjects not given much attention. Though, there were marked differences in between the parents and students from urban and rural setups, certain conditions seemed the same. Discrimination against VAP was paramount in the SSS as a result, members were disillusioned and these influenced students to swap programmes. In all circumstances, the best candidates hardly found their way to VAP, but wonderfully they succeed in their numbers to boast the images of the various schools. Lack of textbooks is one of the main problems confronting this programme which equally lacks sponsorship from major education stakeholders. Inadequate facilities, coupled with the absence of orientation disenable effective academic work with a grave absence of foundation at the basic level. In view of these, some urban students were surcharged each term whiles rural parents and their wards complained bitterly of the financial demanding nature of the programme as they fish out for their logistics individually. Though the current syllabuses is in use in all schools, there is no proper organisation of the programme like workshops and seminars to expose teachers to new trends, let alone cope with difficult aspects of the programme. Teachers faced with peculiar problems concerning their daily delivery had nowhere to resolve their problems since the mother organisation: Ghana Art Teachers Association (GATA) was not operational within the region. This has made the teaching of visual art decentralised at school levels.
- ItemAssessment of linkages between the JSS Pre-Vocational Skills Programme and the SSS Visual Arts Programmes: A Case Study Of Selected Schools in Akwapim South District of Eastern Region, Ghana.(2006-08-10) Tawiah, Vernon NyameSchool education in Ghana has undergone many transformations. One of the major ones of our time is the Education Reform of 1987. One of the pillars of these reforms is to develop the need to recognise Technical and Vocational Education. Secondly to improve upon the teaching and learning of the programmes. Finally to improve the linkages between the JSS Pre-Vocational Skills and SSS Visual Arts programmes. In spite of these objectives there appears to be a gap between the JSS Pre- Vocational Skills and SSS Visual Arts programmes. The researcher therefore investigated the problems associated with the gap between the JSS Pre-Vocational Skills and SSS Visual Arts programmes in three (3) out of five (5) SSS in Akwapim South district, namely Adonten Secondary School, Saint Martins Secondary School, Aburi Secondary Technical School and forty (40) out of seventy- one (71) JSS in the Akwapim South District. Questionnaire were designed and administered to sample opinions from two hundred (200) Students, eight (8) Visual Arts Teachers and forty (40) Pre- Vocational Skills teachers from selected Schools in the district for the study. Findings made include: 1. Lack of qualified professional Art teachers to teach the Art related subjects in Pre- Vocational Skills at the JSS level. 2. Lack of Studios, teaching and learning materials to help promote the basic training in the JSS Pre-Vocational Skills and SSS Visual Arts programmes in the district. 3. Lack of linkages between the JSS Pre-Vocational Skills and the SSS Visual Arts programmes studied by students. ii Recommendations made were that emphasis should be made in the teaching of Art related Vocations in the JSS, more qualified professional Art Teachers should be posted to the JSS to teach the Art related courses in the Pre-Vocational Skills; the various vocations offered in the SSS should be offered directly in the JSS and basic Visual Art skills should be introduced at the JSS for pupils to prepare them for the SSS Visual Arts Course.
- ItemImpact of Dimension Stone Production on the Environment: A Case Study at Granites & Marbles Company Limited, Ghana.(2007) Benin, Abraham KwesiThe study evaluated the impacts of dimension stone production on the environment at the Tongo Quarry and the Factory at Accra. The variables studied were the blasting noise, pollution of nearby water sources and pollution of effluent discharge from factory. The study described the standard procedures for collecting and processing samples for water and sediment, and field analyses of conductivity, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. An experimental study was carried out on sediment and water samples in the laboratory to assess the level of heavy metal pollution. For this study, several composite samples were collected and analysed. The pH and turbidity values of the water samples were 6.3-7.45 pH and 0.15-118 NTU respectively. Curves were drawn that relate metal concentrations in Water and Soil Samples. With the exception of chromium concentration in samples, GM1s and FS1 which have very high values of 2.64 mg/l and 1.34 mg/l respectively, all the other samples were below the maximum permissible level of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana guidelines for discharge into natural water bodies. Quality assurance is maintained by strict collecting and processing procedures, replicate sampling, equipment blank samples, and a rigid cleaning procedure using detergent, hydrochloric acid and methanol. In this thesis, blasting operation and its possible environmental effects are defined. To achieve the study objectives, 24 blasts were carried out and 3 sets of recordings were taken for each distance of 4m, 210m, 416m, 622m 824m and 2000m. A measurement was recorded for each site for ambient noise levels. From this, experiment curves were drawn that relate average ambient and noise levels in decibels with distance from blasting point towards the community. The evaluation was performed if the noise level were within safe limits or not. The field experimental work conducted indicated that the highest blasting noise of 92.3 dB and 85.2 dB recorded at distances of 824m and 2000m respectively are within acceptable maximum permissible level of 115 dB with 5% allowable to 120 dB or less in an annual period.
- ItemRemodeling of the Baptist Children's Orphanage. (Trotor, In Southern Ghana)(2007-05-11) Boye, Nii Adjetey(social welfare of Ghana, 2005). In present times a number of factors have lead to the ineffectiveness of the role of the extended families. Mortality during the past times was low since it was usually as a result of female mortality during birth or as a result of health problems beyond their medication. The number of children who lost their parents were not many and could be catered for by their extended family members. With the present trend of life style, especially with the emergence of the information and communication technology, means of transportation, the upsurge of HIV/AIDS and, mobility or mortality rate among child bearing women more lives are lost cumulatively over a very few years as compared to the various world war eras in Ghana. These are some of the reasons more orphans are getting into the system than ever. If this situation is not check by creating well organized institutions to complement the broken down traditional systems and present life style, most of these children will become burden to society. This thesis seeks to investigate by data collection and analysis, factors which impact on the establishment of orphanages in Ghana and the fundamentals of the scientific principle for establishing an orphanage under modern prevailing conditions. It looks at the town and country planning principle for citing orphanages, most progressive spatial planning conditions for a typical orphanage in order to determine the nomenclature or type of orphanages and also to determine the specifics of the climate requirement on the orphanages. The whole study was done with the use of qualitative and humanistic approach toward orphanages, 'phenomenology' (Jackson and Smith 1984). It was found out that though there are specific regulations governing the minimum spatial requirement for eachenCol">description provenance Submitted by Richard Lamptey (phanerosis75@yahoo.com) on 2011-08-11T21:00:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 KNUST Library.pdf: 7257 bytes, checksum: 649cf3199c3e426ac59d46e128b7b99e (MD5)
- ItemTowards an appreciation of symphonic music: the role of the performing theatre(2007-05-24) Hagan, Gabriel AcquaahSound quality is a fundamental requirement in performing theatre and auditorium designs. Over the last century, a lot of progress has been made in the study of acoustics in relation to performing theatres. Most, if not all, have revealed that acoustics depends to some extent on the geometry of the space under consideration. This dissertation discusses the relationship between geometry, objective parameters such as finishing materials, volume etc. and sound quality in performing theatres. It studies the development of theatre designs over the last century and reveals that for a hall, designed primarily for symphony orchestra musical concerts, to fulfill its function well it must be conceived partly as a musical instrument, like the box of a violin or the sound board of a piano. It concludes that every good performing theatre or auditorium requires more than ordinary architectural design skills; it should solve not only acoustics but also the functional problems of comfort and sightlines as well as the problem of visual coherence, all of which revolves around the shape or geometry of the enclosed space.
- ItemThe preparation of low-temperature fusion enamel coatings for corrosion control using local raw materials(2007-06-19) Danquah, AndrewsAn attempt has been made in this study to formulate materials for low-temperature fusion enamel coating from local raw materials and borax that can be applied directly onto steel substrate for corrosion control. Mfensi and Afari clays, and the Mouri feldspar were mixed in various proportions with borax to form various batches. The batches were mixed with water to form slips which were used to coat already prepared steel surfaces and were allowed to dry in the open. The coated steel plates were again dried in the oven and fired at temperatures of 800oC, 850oC and 900oC to mature. The coatings were observed and also physico-chemical tests were conducted to evaluate some properties of the coatings. The coatings matured and adhered very well to the substrate at 850oC and 900oC and showed good hardness and thermal shock resistance as well as good corrosion resistance in brine and 10% nitric acid. The coatings hardness at the above temperatures were between 7 and 8 on the Mohs scale and 70-90 on the BHN(1/60). The coatings thickness at these temperatures was between 0.42mm and 0.5mm. They were able to resist fifteen cycles of heating and quenching from 400oC. The coatings prepared with the Afari clay with its higher content of iron oxide showed better results in terms of hardness and thermal shock resistance than those prepared with the Mfensi clay. However the coatings fired at 800oC did not fuse properly and hence did not show good adhesion to the substrate. They showed a hardness of 4-6 on the Mohs scale and failed on the Brinnel Hardness Tester.
- ItemDesigning to heal: the role of architecture in promoting healing in the long-term care setting(2007-08-08) Marfo, Thomas NtiamoahHospitals first appeared at the start of the Christian era to shelter sickor weary travelers and persons too poor or ill to be treatedat home, yet their dirty, crowded and dark environmentwere anything but hospitable. The change from this tothe present day hospitals has been metamorphic.(Shi, L., & Singh, D, 2001). Hospitals are complex buildings containing many departments of different specializations where diagnostic or therapeutic activities take place, while other administrative, ancillary, or service units sustain, and support main functions, to compliment the health care process. While healthcare functional aspects following the same medical trends have the same influence on hospital architecture all through the world, yet, cultural aspects form a dominant deviant influence in each country according to its different cultural trends following habits and traditions. Although sustaining patients’ comfort is a universal demand, its application might warrant different methods. This thesis therefore describes in detail the status and perspective of Ghanaian healthcare facilities with an analysis of emerging trends of healthcare facilities, the impacts hospital architecture has on patients and staff with an overall aim of improving design efficiency in healthcare facilities and improving patient and staff comfort healthcare facilities. The study was carried out on a random sample of hospitals operating under government jurisdictions. Sample size was roughly restricted to the two main teaching hospitals in Ghana; Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye and the Sunyani Regional Hospital. The material itself consisted of pictorial and technical data, as obtained from the archives of said institutions. Plan types of these institutions were examined and analysed with respect to functional classification of spaces constructed.
- ItemThe development of an information management system for materials management in large construction companies operating in the Ghanaian construction industry(2007-08-24) Manteau, Eric KofiMaterials are one of the resources that require special attention while creating a project's master plan as well as during the daily construction progress. The absence of materials when needed is one of the main causes of loss of productivity at a jobsite. Inefficient materials management can lead to an increase of 50% in work hours. As a result, a detailed plan for the materials management of each construction project is« necessary. The critical role of materials management in the success of a construction project motivates the development of a new model for the process of materials management for the construction industry. Materials management problems have a great impact on general contractors. It was based on these preliminary findings that the researcher decided to carry out the research. Currently, materials management functions in the construction industry are often performed on a fragmented basis with minimal communication and no clearly established responsibilities among the parties involved. In addition, the collaboration required among departments has not been considered and implemented. This fragmentation creates gaps in information flow, which leads to delays in material ordering and receiving, expediting costs, excessive inventories of some items and project delays. However, model-based, computerised solutions to materials management problems is the way forward in summarising the duties of the materials manager at the same time bridging the information gap that exists between these departments and providing synergy amongst the departments. The objectives of the research were the following: • To undertake a comprehensive study and documentation of the current materials management systems in the Ghanaian construction industry. • To identify the major factors that influence the dissemination of information for the efficient and effective management of materials within construction companies in Ghana • To develop information management system for the efficient Management of materials for Construction firms in Ghana. The researcher used purposive sampling in obtaining the population (36 D1 contractors) as provided by the ABCCG, it was deemed that these contractors (Dl) would have an outfit capable of having a structured organisational hierarchy, thus giving the researcher credible information for the research. Some of the major findings in the study brought out interesting facts and Solution to these problems; these problems were directly tied to the objectives of the study. The researcher noticed that in general the construction industry is not paying enough attention to materials management rather focusing on labour to make savings. The next finding was in respect to information creation, dissemination and destination in the area of materials management it was the authors observation that the information flow was fragmented and open for errors due to double-entry and mismanagement of the information created, this was further compounded by the problem of easy accessibility since 36% of the information existed in a locked paper environment, 42% of the information generated went home with the personnel in charge of the creation of the information and the final 22% existed in personal devices such as office computers, PDA's and mobile phones. This made accessing the information time consuming. The study developed a computer based model for materials management practises which runs through five phases of the materials management practised in Ghana and developed in the study namely bidding, sour ring, material procurement, construction phase and post- construction phase, it is the authors hope the model will bring about standardisation in the industry which may pave the way forward. In conclusion the primary goal is to have the material needed, in the amount needed with the quality required, and the time that they are needed at the right cost. Most companies have a materials management system that serves their needs, although it could be improved. Standardisation of the materials management system could be a step forward in improving the system and eliminating some of the challenges. The research presented in this document is aimed at designing an integrated system for materials management. A fully integrated and standardised approach will better improve communication and minimise gaps in information flow among all the parties and departments involved. The research derives the optimal integration of people, decision processes, information support systems and data that are required to support efficient and effective systems for acquisition, procurement, transport, storage and allocation of materials in the construction industry.
- ItemEstimation of petrophysical data for assessing hydrocarbon potential in Western Ghana Oilfield (Tano Basin)(2008) Kuffour, OpokuWell log data were obtained from Ghana National Petroleum Corporation for each of the six exploratory wells studied. For each well, the following logs were collected; resistivity log, sonic log, formation density compensated log, compensated neutron log and gamma ray log. These in situ well logs were subjected to well log analysis and interpretation methods. The following Petrophysical parameters; porosity, permeability, water saturation, reservoir thickness and volume of shale were estimated for each hydrocarbon-bearing zone delineated for each well. The data obtained have been analyzed and interpreted quantitatively, to assess the hydrocarbon potential of each well. The mean estimates for porosity and permeability of all the oil-bearing zones delineated, range from 23.75 % to 34 % for porosity and 65 md to 714.7 md for permeability, compared to mean porosity range of 8.5 – 23.15 % and permeability range of 6.83 × 10-2 md to 5.99 md of the gas zones. The results of the well logs interpretation suggest that oil- bearing zones are much more porous and permeable than the gas-bearing zones. This was evident throughout the wells. The estimates for the water saturation of hydrocarbon-bearing zones range from 6 % to 63.6 % indicating good hydrocarbon saturation potential. The reservoir thickness estimated for all the oil-bearing zones delineated range from 2 m to 40 m while the gas-bearing zones range from 4 m to 10 m. The Western Basin low estimated reservoir thicknesses for hydrocarbon-bearing zone suggests that reservoir reserves potentials are not sufficient, but the range 8 % to 36.8 % of volume of shale estimated for the hydrocarbon-bearing zones of the wells suggests that sandstone lithology of the Western Basin is clean. The Western Basin proved to be a high capital venture, as far as drilling is concern due to abnormal high pressure zones detected in almost all the wells studied.
- ItemAppraising financial controls at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi(2008-06-26) Opoku-Anto, EdwinThis long essay is mainly embarked upon to examine the effectiveness of internal control systems in place at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in its quest to deliver excellent healthcare to its clients. For the purposes of this work, attention was focused on financial and accounting control by examining three key questions as regarding; (1) existence of proper internal financial control that is consistent with the company objectives and the role of employees in ensuring the success of this plan? (2) how effective and efficient is this system in streamlining procedures, policies, plans, procedures, laws, regulations, and contracts that reduce the incidence of omissions and fraud to produce reliable financial information (3) How could internal control be improved in this organisation. There is theoretically no restriction on what internal control can evaluate and report about within an organization. However, internal financial control tends to vary from one company to another, reflecting particular objectives of directors, and senior management. Primary data was obtained through the administration of surveyed questionnaires to the sampled respondents at the account section of the hospital to ascertain the needed information for analysis and recommendation. Statistical software was used to analyse the data received from respondents in percentiles. Some findings that needed urgent attention to ensure that controls were effective are as follows; policy overrides by management, poor file management, segregation of duty, inadequate intranet facility which causes delays in data input which result in unnecessary idle time; poor receipt check at the monitoring unit because the number of workers in this section is relatively small. There is also the problem of transferring fund from one account to another (i.e. GOG, DPF, and IGF) that delays business of the hospital. It was recommended that, the hospital administration should take steps to address the aforementioned problems without further delay to be able to deliver the excellent healthcare to the public. For the limited time within which the long essay had to be completed and difficulty regarding finance, attention was only focused on financial control only. I would urge other researchers to take up the challenge to examine other aspects of internal control in the hospital regarding procurement, and maintenance sections to offer useful suggestion that could help maintain good corporate governance.
- ItemEvaluation Of Intermittent Preventive Treatment Of Malaria In Pregnancy (IPT) Implementation In The Kumasi Ashanti Region, Ghana.(2008-07-12) Priscilla Anima, SiawMalaria is a serious public health problem that affects both the young and old especially the vulnerable ones being children and pregnant women. Again, prevention of the serious health impact associated with malaria during pregnancy represents one of the pending public health goals of WHO policy as well as the Ghana Roll Back Preventive Treatment (IPT) is a preventive measure adopted for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy. Objective The primary objective of this study is to assess the IPT of malaria in pregnancy in relation to the processes, outcomes and impact of the policy in the Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti Region – Ghana. Methodology The study was a descriptive qualitative and quantitative cross sectional study supported with health facilities records review. The data were collected in August 2008 using household interviews during which 400 respondents (280 pregnant women and 120 nursing mothers who have delivered between January and June, 2008) were sampled using a EPI cluster sampling technique were interviewed. Seventy (70) midwives and 22 key informants at post in some selected health facility within the Manhyia North, the Subin and the Bantama Sub-metros were in-depth interviewed with close-ended questionnaire. Forty-seven (47) health facilities which offer maternity services were also surveyed with the aid of a checklist. A review of the Kumasi Metropolis health records was also conducted. Seven descriptive processes, out come and impact indicators were used in the study. These included: training and KAP of midwives, ANC utilization in the metropolis, the KAP of pregnant mothers and midwives towards malaria in pregnancy, IPT coverage, management supply of SP, the incidence of adverse effects of SP in pregnant mothers on IPT and the incidence of LBW as well as maternal aneamia.
- ItemThe effect of starter-grower pigs fed diets containing varying levels of dried cashew (Anarcadium Occidentale L.) pulp (DCP)(2008-07-12) Armah, Ishmael Nii AduDried Cashew Pulp (DCP) was investigated for its nutritional quality. The DCP was obtained from Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), Bole and was prepared from fresh ripe cashew apples by slicing the pulp into flakes after the juice has been extracted followed by sun drying to a moisture content of about 10 %. The crude protein, fat, ash, crude fibre in g kg-1 DM and digestible energy contents were 86.0, 99.6, 38.0, 116.0 and 14.38 MJ, respectively. In a subsequent feeding trial, twelve Large White starter pigs with an average initial weight of 13.3 kg were randomly allotted into four groups in a completely randomized design and fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150 g DCP kg-1 to determine growth performance and carcass characteristics. Water and feed were provided ad-libitum. The level of DCP had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on feed intake but had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on weight gain. Final live weights were 58.67, 53.0, 59.67 and 48.67 kg for pigs diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150 DCP g kg-1 respectively. Furthermore the dietary treatments did not have significant (P > 0.05) impact on the various carcass traits, except ham weight. In this study, there were no health-related problems nor deaths that could be attributed to the inclusion of DCP in the diet. Feed cost per diet decreased with increasing DCP levels. The cost of feed to produce a kg weight gain was lowest for the diet containing the 100 g DCP kg-1. It was concluded that up to 100 g DCP kg-1 diet had a positive effect on pig growth performance and that partial replacement of energy sources such as maize and wheat bran with DCP is possible.
- ItemAssessing the dropout rate of the expanded programme on immunisation in Asutifi District.(2008-07-12) Akutteh, Hanson MensahThe induction of an immune response to infectious disease by vaccination has become a widely applied and acceptable public health intervention. For immunisation to be effective as a long-term global childhood disease control strategy, it is essential that parents continue to present their children for vaccination. A recent study in assessing the dropout rate of immunization has shown that, immunization coverage in Asutifi District has been high with percentage of fully vaccinated children ranging between 95% in the district and 90% to 97% in the sub-districts. There is an account of high dropout rate of eligible children receiving the vaccines in the sub-district above the National and WHO, recommended level of dropout rate less than 10% (WHO, 2005). The aim of the study was to determine the dropout rate of the Expanded Program on Immunization to assess the ability of the service to hold on to the number of children who started the vaccination. A descriptive cross-sectional survey among a representative sample of 300 children between the ages of 12-23 months from households with varying socio-economic status from both urban and rural sub-districts was done to illicit information on the immunization coverage. Approximately 95% of children under the age of two had been completely vaccinated. Averagely about 40% of eligible children in the district had timely received vaccines during EPI programme. Seventy seven percent of children receive their vaccination at the outreach post. The vaccination schedule showed that 4.4% who started BCG vaccination dropped out as at the time of receiving measles vaccine. The dropout rate for DPT1 and DPT 3 was 0.67%. More than 62% of mothers do not present their children for vaccination because they are busy with their economic activities and 31.25% of household are unaware of the need to return for subsequent doses. These shortcomings are affecting the sustainability of routine immunisation programmes and are promoting the growth of a large number of partially immunised children. To protect the continued operations and to enhance the coverage of routine vaccination programmes, it is important that the dropout rate and these difficulties be addressed. The dropout rates for children in the sub-district are between 5% and 10% signifying differences in how each sub-district is able to hold the number of eligible children who were targeted for vaccination. Generally the dropout rate indicates that the efficiency of the service delivered during EPI programme in the sub-district differ from one sub-district to another. The difference that exist in the dropouts within the sub-districts demonstrate a service delivery gap and suggest that greater efforts are required by government and the district health management team to rethink of resource allocation and strengthening processes to improve immunization coverage among rural poor.
- ItemAcceptance of HIV Counselling & Testing Among Pregnant Women in the Kumasi Metropolis(2008-07-13) Sakyi, Kwofie GabrielIn Ghana, as in most parts of Africa, south of the Sahara, HIV/AIDS account for a lot of mortality and morbidity in children. Children born to infected mothers acquire infection and progress to clinical diseases. This mother-to-child-Transmission (MTCT), accounts for most of the cases in children less than 15 years. To help address this problem, the Ghana National Policy on HIV/AIDS and STIs has come out with strategies that include the use of routine Counseling and Testing (CT) as a tool for the prevention of MTCT (PMTCT). The main objective of this study was to determine the level of acceptance of this routine HIV CT, as well as factors associated with acceptance among pregnant women in Kumasi Metropolis. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional type, with structured questionnaire as the data collection tool served on 200 pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic (ANC) in the Kumasi Metropolis. The sampling frame was pregnant women attending ANC at the three hospitals in the metropolis. The 200 ANC attendants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Findings include a high level of acceptance, with 87.5% of respondents accepting to undergo HIV testing either before or after counseling. The effects of socio-demographic characteristics on acceptance of HIV CT were not statistically significant. The knowledge level of pregnant women on HIV/AIDS and Prevention of mother to Child transmission (PMTCT) significantly affected HIV CT acceptance (p = 0.000): Those with adequate knowledge levels were twenty four times more likely to accept HIV CT than those with inadequate knowledge levels. Seeking Spousal permission did not significantly affect acceptance (p= 0.86). However, spousal involvement significantly encouraged HIV CT (p = 0.04) Given the high, level of acceptance which is consistent with high acceptance levels in some African studies, the existing strategy of routine HIV CT, as a tool for PMTCT of HIV, should be sustained, and if possible improved upon.
- ItemEntrepreneurship Training for Senior High School Visual Arts Graduates (Case Studies Kumasi and Accra Metropolis)(2008-07-15) Kokotah, GabrielSenior High School Visual Arts graduates do not have jobs. Some find themselves in apprenticeship training under the tutelage of master craftsmen whiles others end up selling all kinds of products on the streets of Ghana. This research sought to find the causes of unemployment among Senior High School Visual Arts graduates who fail to further their education, and to identify and describe some entrepreneurial training centres in the Kumasi and Accra metropolis which provide vocational skills for Senior High School Visual Arts graduates. The study also sought to assess the effectiveness and impact of these centres in order to make recommendations as to how parents, government and non-governmental organizations can intervene to help the Senior High School Visual Arts graduates gain employment through entrepreneurial training. The qualitative research design was used by the researcher. Interviews and questionnaire were used to collect data to explain the importance of entrepreneurship training to Senior High School Visual Arts graduates and efforts being made by parents, government, non-governmental organizations, entrepreneurs, master Craftsmen and industries to help these Senior High School Visual Arts graduates. Interviews were used to collect data from Senior High School Visual Arts graduates who end up selling on the streets of Ghana as well as vocational training centres. Questionnaire was used to collect data from Senior High School Visual Arts graduates who are pursuing apprenticeship training and self-employed artists (master craftsmen). Data collected from first-hand experience was treated as primary data whiles those that were collected from other sources such as text books, brochures, journals and internet was treated as secondary data. The study found that many Senior High School Visual Arts graduates were unemployed. Vocational training centres and government responsible to train the Senior High School Visual Arts graduates paid little attention to these people. Suggestions are that parents, entrepreneurs, vocational training centres government and non-governmental organizations should come to the aid of the Senior High School Visual Arts graduates by providing them with necessities to make them enter into gainful employment.
- ItemThe Cultural and Aesthetic Significance of Motifs on Selected Asante Temples(2008-07-18) Larbi, StephenAsante temples are small edifices built over one or two hundred years ago to house the shrines of some of the deities of the Asante. They are adorned with beautiful motifs which tell a lot about the culture of the Asante. But the lack of adequate and comprehensive studies on them has kept them away from the public. This study therefore studies the history of selected Asante temples and the cultural and aesthetic significance of their motifs. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, the researcher used the qualitative research method. The primary sources of data of the study were interviews and observation. They were carried out at the villages where the temples are located. The researcher selected some people from the villages where the temples are who could provide him with the primary data and consulted them for the data. He also contacted some scholars of Asante culture for the primary data. The secondary data was obtained from books and the internet. The motifs tell a lot about the religious beliefs and social norms of the Asante. They also reveal a lot about symbolism in Asante art and serve as decorations on the temples. They symbolise concepts and beliefs personified in human and animal forms and geometric shapes. The findings go to confirm the theory that African, and for that matter Asante, arts are influenced by the culture (believes, practices, notion of beauty and world view) of the people. The arts are also used to send symbolic, social and religious messages to the people.