KNUSTSpace

Institutional Repository of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

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The transition of Ghana’s cooling appliance sector to a circular economy via a small wins governance framework
(Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2024-02-18) Kuhn, Sascha; Opoku, Richard; Diaba, Desmond Delali; Agyarko, Kofi A.; Never, Babette
Air conditioning poses environmental, socioeconomic, and political challenges, especially in sub-Saharan countries such as Ghana, where almost all devices are imported. Thus far, socio-economically feasible pathways for a cooling transition to a circular economy are unclear. Drawing on qualitative interviews, field observations and survey data, this study analyses the potential of small wins governance as a pathway to sweeping system change along Ghana’s air-conditioners’ lifecycle. The research analyses the status quo and identifies potential small wins that could lead to transformative shifts in the cooling sector. Through a mixed-methods approach encompassing interviews, surveys, and field assessments, the study uncovers small wins at four stages of the air conditioner lifecycle, from (1) import, (2) retail & purchase, (3) usage & service, and (4) end-of- life management practices. For policymakers and practitioners, our results imply that they should (a) systematically encourage and reap small wins in public-private spaces in the short-term, e.g. changing the incentive structure for staff controlling imports of air conditioners, (b) adjust supporting policies as learning dynamics unfold over time (e.g., energy and refrigerant standards and labels, tax system), but (c) also keep pushing for big wins in the mid-term (e.g., constructions of a recycling plant for refrigerants in West Africa). The findings emphasize the need for a behavioural, consumer-oriented perspective for the pragmatic potential of small wins towards a circular economy. Overall, the study addresses significant gaps in the literature and suggests that bottom-up approaches may offer more success than attempting broad top-down system changes. The paper contributes to the wider discourse on social-ecological transitions and offers valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers aiming to foster sustainable practices in the cooling sector.
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Strategizing towards sustainable energy planning: Modeling the mix of future generation technologies for 2050 in Benin
(Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition, 2024-01-11) Akpahou, Romain; Odoi-Yorke, Flavio; Mensah, Lena Dzifa; Quansah, David Ato; Kemausuor, Francis
The Benin energy sector faces serious challenges, including an unfavorable energy mix with regular power shortages, erratic power outages, reliance on electricity imports, and dependence on traditional cooking stoves. This study has investigated strategies critical for Benin to employ to achieve 24.6 %, 44 %, and 100 % renewable energy (RE) integration targets in the final electricity mix in 2025, 2030, and 2050, respectively. This study used the EnergyPLAN model to develop different energy scenarios suitable for Benin to achieve its proposed RE penetration target. A combination of natural gas (NG) with solar photovoltaic (PV), wind energy, hydropower, and concentrated solar power (CSP) is used to develop three scenarios for RE integration namely the government targets scenario, 2 % RE per year scenario and 50 % RE in 2050 scenario. The results show that the government targets scenario is too ambitious because of the current trend and pace of developing the energy sector. Moreover, a combination of 563 MW of NG, 125 MW of PV, 200 MW of wind, 600 MW of hydropower, and 60 MW of CSP would achieve 50 % RE by 2050 under the 50 % RE scenario. This scenario would decrease CO2 emissions by 50 % with no CEEP generation. Furthermore, the total electricity generation from MSW in Benin is estimated to be 0.232, 0.3215, and 1.16 TWh/yr in 2025, 2030, and 2050, respectively. The study’s findings could help decision-makers and stakeholders make informed decisions to promote the integration of RE resources in the Benin Republic.
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Evaluating the Health and Environmental Consequences of Sulphur-Related Diesel Emissions
(Journal of Science and Technology, 2024-05-21) Kwao–Boateng, Emmanuela; Ankudey, Emmanuel Godwin; Darkwah, Lawrence; Danquah, Kwabena Owusu; Kontoh, Derrick Boateng
Sulphur content is one of the most important fuel parameters affecting exhaust emissions from vehicles. Sulphur is a direct pollutant that can combine with other atmospheric elements to form compounds that contribute to global warming; hence minimising its quantity in fuels is essential. Standards have been set globally to regulate the sulphur content of diesel fuels. This research undertakes a comparative analysis of the sulphur content in fuel samples, randomly collected from five different fuel station brands. The sulphur content of diesel was analysed with sulphur analyser Hitachi LAB X-5000 following the ASTM D 4294-16 test method which is deemed simple. In the Kumasi Metropolis, the mean sulphur concentration in diesel was considerably elevated (ranging from 60 – 258 parts per million (ppm)) in comparison to the global standard of 50 ppm. From the analysis, the sulphur levels were in the order: Brand A< Brand C < Brand D < Brand E < Brand B. An assessment of the impact of sulphur emissions (from cradle to gate) on health, the ecosystem, and climate change was done using SimaPro software (v9.4.0.2). The results revealed the detrimental effects of the emissions, particularly when using fuels sourced from Brand B. Therefore, it is essential to enforce measures that ensure the imported and consumed diesel in the metropolis aligns with the stipulated regulations. This will mitigate potential health risks and environmental damage that may ensue from escalated sulphur emissions. Random checks on diesel quality at retail outlets are recommended to ensure compliance with set regulations.
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Political economy and the pursuit of universal health coverage in Ghana: a case study of the National Health Insurance Scheme
(Health Policy and Planning, 2021) Novignon, Jacob; Lanko, Charles; Arthur, Eric; 0000-0002-4718-9328
The road to universal health coverage depends on resources committed to the health sector. In many cases, the political structure and strength of advocacy play an important role in setting budgets for health. However, this has, until recently, not been of interest to health system researchers and policymakers. In this study, we document the political path to the establishment of the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as well as continuous political interest in the scheme. To achieve our objectives, we used qualitative data from interviews with key stakeholders. These include stakeholders instrumental in the design and establishment of the NHIS. We also reviewed party manifestoes from the two main political parties in the country. Promises relating to the NHIS were extracted from the various manifestos and analysed. Other documents that account for the design and implementation of the scheme were reviewed. We found that the establishment of the NHIS was down to political commitment and effective engagement with relevant stakeholders. It was considered a solution to the political promise to remove user fees and make healthcare accessible to all. A review of the manifestos shows that in almost every election year after the NHIS was established, there has been some promise related to improving the scheme. There were several policy propositions repeated in different election years. The findings imply that advocacy to get health financing on the political agenda is crucial. This should start from the development of party manifestos. It is important to also ensure that proposed party policies are consistent with national priorities in the medium to long term.
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An explorative study on the potential of green roofs providing thermal comfort conditions for indoor spaces in Kumasi, Ghana
(Emerald Publishing, 2021) Gyimah, Kwabena Abrokwa; Koranteng, Christian; Simons, Barbara; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7689-8879; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2521-5641; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9874-8468
Purpose As the global population keeps increasing with its associated urbanisation and climate change issues being experienced in various degrees worldwide, there is the need to find mitigating measures to improve thermal conditions within spaces. The study aimed to evaluate green roofs to determine whether they could provide thermal comfort within residential buildings. Design/methodology/approach Forty-two-year weather data were retrieved from the Kumasi weather station to establish the pattern of the climatic variables. Furthermore, an experiment was conducted by constructing test cells to determine the potential of vegetation/green roofs on temperature development within spaces. This approach led to a simulation-based exploration of the thermal performance of the test cells to probe variables that could lead to the reduction in temperature after the models in the software (design-builder) had been validated. Findings The results on the 42 years (1976–2018) weather data showed a significant (p = 0.05) mean temperature increment of 2.0 °C. The constructed test cell with Setcreasea purpurea (Purple Heart) vegetation showed an annual mean temperature reduction of 0.4 °C (p = 0.05). In addition, the exploration using the simulation application showed combinations of various soil depth (70–500 mm) and leaf area indices (leaf area index of 2–5) having a potential to lower indoor temperature by 1.5 °C and its associated reduction in energy use. The option of green roofs as a valuable alternative to conventional roofs, given their potential in mitigating climate change, must be encouraged. A survey of occupants in six selected neighbourhoods in Kumasi showed varying subjective perceptions of several green issues (24–98%) and increases in temperature values because of the loss of greenery in the city. Originality/value Empirical data that point to the significant reduction of indoor temperature values and a subsequent reduction in energy use have been unearthed. Therefore, built environment professionals together with city authorities could invest in these sustainable measures to help humanity.
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Rationally designed tungsten trioxide nanosheets for high-efficiency aqueous battery application
(Elsevier, 2023) Tawiah, Benjamin; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1756-8965
Aqueous battery (AB) with non-metallic charging carriers is a viable candidate for grid energy storage devices owing to its comparatively low cost and high safety. However, developing practical electrode materials with remarkable electrochemical performance remains a great challenge. In this study, tungsten trioxide nanosheets (WONSs) with one-dimensional tunnels were facilely synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction. When used as the cathode material in aqueous batteries, the as-prepared WONS exhibits excellent long-term cycling stability and impressively high rate capability due to the nearly zero-strain structural characteristics of super-fast proton storage. Notably, a stable cycling performance with 89% capacity retention after 10000 cycles was achieved with an increased mass loading of WONS at around 12 mg cm−2. Our work points to a new direction of promoting high-efficiency AB applications with protons as charge carriers in a mild electrolyte.
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The exploration of near-extinct indigenous Ghanaian cultural symbols for interior decoration
(Cogent OA, 2023) Asinyo, Benjamin K.; Tawiah, Benjamin; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9208-2482; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1756-8965
The culture and artistic heritage of Ghana have been endorsed by the rich influence of Akan symbols like Adinkra, the akuaba doll, and others from various ethnic groups. However, the integration of ethnically unique near-extinct symbols into an art piece to highlight the cultural diversity of Ghana for wall hanging is rare. This work brings to life indigenous Ghanaian symbols on the verge of extinction from four ethnic groups, namely, the Akan, Ewe, Ga-Adangbe, and Mole-Dagbani to design a wall hanging for interior decoration, especially for public spaces by adopting Cora Marshal’s aesthetico research to generate a “Quali-Aesthetico” model. The design aesthetically ingrained conceptual aboriginal art and near-extinct indigenous Ghanaian symbols from the four ethnic groups as inspiration. The creative integration of these symbols yielded an interesting art piece that provides a unique ambiance for a simulated interior-decorated airport and an art gallery suitably displayed on flat interior surfaces. Besides the artistic expression of the art piece, interpretations of the uniquely combined symbols and their philosophical meanings have been provided to educate the public about the rich Ghanaian cultural heritage. The art piece also seeks to preserve near-extinct identity symbols and create a sense of belonging for the younger generation.