http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/9 2026-04-26T19:41:53Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/25 Maximizing Wood Residue Utilization and Reducing its Production Rate to Combat Climate change Adu, Sylvia; Adu, George; Frimpong-Mensah, Kwasi; Antwi-Boasiako, Charles; Effah, Bernard; Adjei, Simeon Wood is a renewable natural resource which can effectively reduce climate change. Wood processing operations generate enormous amount of wood residues which need to be efficiently managed. A lumber yield of about 28-64% requires maximizing the economic values of wood. The utilization of wood residue which is deemed as a burdensome waste in many timber industries has the potential of lessening the effects of climate change. This has led to the study of issues associated with the generation and management of wood residues. This research was conducted to examine the rate of wood residue production at the various production lines and its utilization in four selected timber industries in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana; and their effects on climate change. Four different timber species, Cylicodiscus gabunensis (Denya), Entandrophragma angolense (Edinam), Pterygota macrocarpa (Koto) and Triplochiton scleroxylon (Wawa) were studied. The average lumber recovery percentage at the four sawmills was 38.08% with residue forming 61.92% of the total input volume. It was observed that 9.07% of input volume generated sawdust. However about 60% of this sawdust was not utilized but burnt and/or dumped openly, polluting the environment. It is recommended that the sawdust could be used to manufacture biochar for soil amendment to enhance nurseries, plantations and other agricultural interests. 2014-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/23 The Safety Culture of Artisans at the Sokoban Wood Village Enclave, Ghana Effah, Bernard; Antwi, Kwaku; Adu, George; Boampong, Ernest This study was carried out to assess the attitude of artisans towards safety at the Sokoban Wood Village Enclave (SWVE). 208 master craftsmen and apprentices participated in the study. A modified safety culture questionnaire comprising of five themes on work safety was used to collect data for analysis. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. Results of the study showed that artisans do not receive training and supervision, have no safe work procedures, are not consulted as well as involved and receives no commitment from management on safety issues. On the contrary, there is a way of reporting safety. The study concluded that the safety culture at SWVE is not health-oriented culture and does not promote safety contrary to safety experts and as such reduce productivity of workers at the enclave. It was recommended that artisans should be educated on work safety and other related studies. 2013-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/22 Strength and some Physical Properties of Allanblackia Parviflora for Furniture Production in Ghana Antwi, Kwaku; Effah, Bernard; Adu, George; Adu, Sylvia In Ghana, many of our traditional wood species are over exploited and threatened to extinction. The utilization of other lesser-used and lesser known wood species needs to be looked at urgently as a possibility of increasing the wood resource base. And a successful expansion of the resource base is dependent on adequate knowledge of the properties of the lesser-used species such as Allanblackia parviflora which can be a good substitute to some of the dwindling species. It was against this background that the strength and some physical properties of Allanblackia parviflora trees were determined to predict the suitability of the species for furniture production and structural raw material for downstream processing of wood products. Three Allanblackia parviflora trees were used for the study. The main statistical tools used were descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Mechanical strength test specimens were prepared and tested in accordance with the British Standard BS 373: 1957. Mean green moisture content was 81.19%. Mean basic density was 539.00kg/m3. The range of mean strength values in N/mm2 in the ‘green’ and dry (12 % M.C) conditions for the three wood species were as follows: Modulus of Rupture: 50.00 - 56.00 (85.00 - 94.00), Modulus of Elasticity: 6,387.00 - 6,951.00 (8,287.00 - 8,875.00), compression parallel to grain: 24.00 - 28.00 (13.00 - 14.00) and shear parallel to grain 6.83 - 7.74 (9.62 - 10.82). Mean ratios of dry to ‘green’ MOR and MOE were 1.68 and 1.28. Almost all strength tests conducted showed a consistent trend that, the heartwood portion of each division was slightly stronger in terms of resistance to failure than its corresponding sapwood portion. Comparing the strength of Allanblackia parviflora to an existing classification (grade), strength is ‘medium’ in Allanblackia parviflora tree wood. It compared favourably with known species such as Aningeria altissima, Terminaria ivorensis, and Antiaris toxicaria in several properties and strength which are suitable for furniture production 2014-01-31T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/13 Issues of the Industrial Training Programme of Polytechnics in Ghana: Effah, Bernard; Boampong, Ernest; Adu, George; Anokye, Rogerson; Asamoah, Jack Nti The purpose of the study was to explore some issues of students’ industrial training programme at Kumasi Polytechnic. Data were collected from 282 students by simple random survey through self completion questionnaire based on a four point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. The findings revealed that the overall state of preparation of students for the attachment programme was suitable. The study established, among the challenges that students had competition for attachment places from other institutions, tough work environment for students, high expectations by firms; financial challenges and lack of appropriate skills, tasks and jobs. Finally, strategies that could improve the attachment programme were proposed and it summed up as strong relationship between the Polytechnic and industry. It was recommended that Polytechnic education should be given the needed resources and recognition to produce graduates who may end up solving the problems of the nation. 2014-10-30T00:00:00Z