Browsing by Author "Appiah, S.O."

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Child labour or child work? Children and tobacco production in Gbefi, Volta Region
(Ghana Social Science Journal, 2018-06) Appiah, S.O.
Child labour has attracted global attention in recent times but remains an important but controversial issue. This is because conceptually, where to draw the distinction between child labour and child work is still debated within the academic community based on apparent differences among International conventions, developmental strategies, policies, social norms and backgrounds. For a developing nation like Ghana, the participation of children in agricultural production is culturally accepted but their involvement affects their educational attainment, and also constitutes child labour according to ILO conventions. The paper assesses the involvement of children in tobacco production in the Gbefi community of the Kpando Municipal Assembly through a qualitative in-depth interview with forty (40) children and ten (10) household heads. Six key informants (an official of the Social Welfare Department, the assembly member of the town, the secretary to the Community Child Protection Committee, two headmasters and a teacher) were also interviewed. The paper argues that, increased involvement of children in tobacco production was a means by which smallholder farmers have generally relied on family labour to perform some of their activities. In this way, engaging in tobacco production helps children, especially, orphans and those whose parents are incapable of taking care of them to acquire money, farming skills and enable them cater for themselves despite its negative effects on their educational attainment and moral lives. The study recommends policies and programmes that would provide job opportunities and viable income generating activities for the local people to ensure a gradual shift from tobacco production to other economically viable activities provided by the state.
Connecting occupational safety awareness, legislation, implementation and enforcement within the Ghanaian industrial economy
(2016) Appiah, S.O.
Aim: The high incidence of workplace injuries and fatalities in Ghana raises concerns about potential disconnection between occupational safety legislations and their efficient enforcement within the Ghanaian industrial economy. This paper therefore sought to examine the extent to which legitimate occupational legislations are implemented and enforced and monitored in Ghanaian Industrial economy. Materials and Method: The study respondents were 70 comprising 50 workers (10 from each of the five departments in Pioneer Food Cannery), 3 Top management members, 5 Departmental heads, 5 Supervisors from the Safety department, 5 members of the Plant Safety Team and 2 officials from the Department of Factories Inspectorate in the Tema Industrial Area selected by simple random and purposive sampling methods. In-depth Interviews, key informant interviews and direct field observations were used to collect primary data in 2014/2015 and thematically analysed n 2015. Results: Though management had put in place some policies, mechanisms and regulations including the provision of personal protective equipment, the institution of safety committees, the supervision and enforcement of the mechanisms and policies in place was ineffective and inefficient as the safety department had only five supervisors.. Also the Department of Factories Inspectorate is woefully resourced in terms of personnel and logistics leading to poor inspection and enforcement of safety regulations. Conclusions: The paper posits that, there is a disconnection between occupational health and safety laws and their enforcement at the industrial level and calls for proper resourcing of the agencies responsible with enforcement.
The Effect of some oil palm Elaeis guineensis Jacq. Progenies on development of the oil palm Leaf miner, Coelaenomenodera lameensis Berti and Mariau (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Ghana.
(African Journal of Science and Technology 2(8): 92-96., 2007) Appiah, S.O.; Dimkpa, S.O.N.; Yawson, G.K.
The oil palm leaf miner, C lameensis is currently the most destructive pest of oil palm in Ghana and other oil palm growing countries in Africa and causes considerable losses in the yield of fresh fruit bunches. Experiments conducted at the Oil Palm Research Institute in Ghana revealed no significant differences (P>0.05) in the duration of the various developmental stages of C. lameensis on five oil palm progenies coded A, B, C, D and E. However, slight variations in the ability of the progenies, to support the development and growth of the oil palm leaf miner were observed. The longest developmental period was on progeny D (100.8 days) and the shortest were on progenies C and E (98.2days). The mean duration of the various development stages were, 18.5 days egg incubation, 46.1 days for larval development, 13.6 days from pupal to external adult and 20.6 days from external adult emergence to egg laying with a total life cycle of 99 days.
Impact of Lecturers’ Gender on Learning: Assessing University of Ghana Students’ Views
(Journal of Education and Practice, 2015) Appiah, S.O.; Agbelevor, E.A.
Studies conducted since the late 1970s have sought to describe students' conceptions of learning especially how gender of lecturers affected the learning of students. However, not many studies have been done in Ghana concerning how gender of lecturers affected learning among students. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of gender of lecturers on students learning. The study was conducted at the University of Ghana, Legon among undergraduates in levels 200, 300 and 400. Respondents were selected using the multi stage sampling procedure including quota and purposive sampling. Data were collected by the means of a self administered questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS with interpretation in the form of tables, bar charts and followed by discussions. The findings revealed that male lecturers were rated higher as having positive impacts on learning whilst female lecturers were rated higher on class participation. Generally, however, most students agreed with existing literature that gender of lecturer really did not matter and that lecturers’ lecturing skills and personality were more important.
Incorporation of Gender into Communication Strategy Design and Implementation: A Study of Two NGOs in Accra-Ghana.
(2018) Appiah, S.O.; Ofosu-Ennin, I.
Communication Strategy is a key component of the development process since it serves as the guideline for relating with stakeholders in executing projects. It is through this component that stakeholders are mapped, specifically targeted; appropriate channels of communication selected and messages developed together with stakeholders to meet their communication needs. However, over the years, many projects have been implemented with less than average impact being made due to the absence of underlying gender issues. This paper assessed the level of gender incorporation into communication strategy design and implementation by purposively selecting two NGOs namely Action Aid Ghana (AAG) and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The paper combined the in-depth and key informant interview approaches in the data collection process. In all, five respondents made up of four communication team members from the two NGOs and a gender advocate were interviewed. Data were thematically analyzed based on the main objective of the paper. The study revealed that gender was highly considered in both organizations and was a key aspect of activity implementation. However, its incorporation into communication strategy design was poor and based on organizational factors and the capacity of the Communication officer to facilitate it. The paper recommended the need for proper stakeholder involvement in the design process as well training of communication personnel on gender issues.
Relative abundance of insect species in oil palm - cocoa intercrop at Kusi in the Eastern Region of Ghana
(INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNALS, 2011) Bawa, A.S.; Yawson, G.K.; Ofori, S.E.; Appiah, S.O.; Afreh-Nuamah, K.
Insect species of sole oil palm, sole cocoa and oil palm cocoa intercrop was studied at the CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute; on plot K4 while cocoa monocrop at a farm on the boundary of the Institute’s plantation at Kusi, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The objective was to identify the occurrence and relative abundance of these insect species in oil palm-cocoa intercrop to compare these insects with existed ones in oil palm and cocoa monocrops over a period of six months (September 2008 to February 2009). Chemical knockdown application method by fumigation was employed to collect insect. An area 0.5 ha plot each was demarcated for the treatments; i.e oil palm monocrop, cocoa monocrop and oil palm-cocoa intercrop. The oil palm and cocoa plantations were 29 years and 21 years respectively. Vinyl sheets measuring 2.8 X 8 m each were placed beneath the selected trees for the insect collection, and the trees were hot-fogged early in the morning between 5:00–7:30am with Plan D EC25 insecticide (Deltamethrin 25g active ingredient/L) at a rate of 20ml insecticide/ 4.5 l of diesel using a Puls FOG machine (K-10SP). Results showed that relatively more insects occurred in the oil palm-cocoa intercrop compared to the oil palm and cocoa monocrops. Insect species belonging to six orders were collected as follows; Hymenoptera (12), Coleoptera (30), Diptera (10), Hemiptera (6), Thysanoptera (1) and Orthoptera (1). Oecophylla longinoda Latr. was the dominant insect species in studied plots. There were more beneficial insect species (predators and parasitoids) in the intercrop when compare to the monocrops. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in the number of insect species between cocoa monocrop and oil palm monocrop, similarly oil palm monocrop and oil palm-cocoa intercrop. However there was no significant difference (p > 0.001) species between cocoa monocrop and oil palm-cocoa intercrop. The study revealed that the two crops do not have common insect pests and in association will not compound insect pests problem of either crop.
The susceptibilitity of some oil palm Elaes guineensis Jack, Progenies to Coelaenomenodera Berti & Mariau, (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
(Current Research Journal Journal of Biological Science, 2009) Afreh-Nuamah, K.; Dimpka, S.O.N.; Appiah, S.O.; Yawson, G.K.
Damage by the oil palm leaf miner C. lameensis has been observed in all oil palm growing countries in Africa causing wide spread defoliation and result to considerable reduction in the yield of fresh fruit bunches (ffb). The understanding of the susceptibility levels of different oil palm progenies to the oil palm leaf miner C. lameensis become highly imperative in the development and incorporation of host plant resistance in the integrated pest management strategy for the management of the oil palm leaf miner. By means of no-choice destructive sampling field experiments, differences in the population levels of the various stages of development and the assessment of damage caused by larval feeding were studied. All the five progenies were averagely susceptible to damage caused by the larvae of C. lameensis. No significant differences (P>05) were observed in the assessed parameters such as percentage egg laid, adult survival in cages, egg hatching, larval and pupal survival on the progenies. However, progeny D supported the least mean population (45.9%) of the larva, pupa and adults of C. lameensis with consequent slight damage of 25%. Progenies C, B and A followed in that order. Progeny E supported the highest mean population of the insect (54%) and suffered the highest damage of 37.4%. The slight variation observed suggests potential differences in the genetic make up of the palm. This can create an opportunity for incorporating host plant resistance for the development of an integrated management strategy for the oil palm leaf miner.
Working Conditions and Exposure to Work Related Injuries and Accidents at Kokompe-Accra Ghana
(Ghana Journal of Geography, 2019) Appiah, S.O.
The occupational environment in which artisans work may expose them to work-related injuries, chronic illness, stress and, disability. In order to understand the issue of workplace safety among artisans in the informal small-scale enterprises, there is the need to explore their general level of safety. Consequently, it will be possible to suggest possible ways of improving their health conditions and safety in the work place. This paper examined the general level of safety of automobile artisans at the Kokompe Artisanal Centre in Accra as well as assessing their level of awareness about occupational accidents and injuries they are exposed to and the preventive measures in place. The qualitative in-depth interview and observational methods were used to examine incidences of work-related injuries and accidents among the artisans. In all 58 artisans including auto-mechanics, auto-electricians, auto-welders, auto sprayers and auto-spare parts dealers were selected through convenience and snowballing sampling techniques. The working conditions of the artisans were poor due to haphazard siting of temporary workshops by squatter artisans resulting in multiple exposures to different hazards: physical, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards leading various forms of work-related physical injuries well as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and work-related illnesses. The contributing factors of accidents and injuries were: human, environmental and mechanical factors. The physical environment and the nature of work are both hazardous since the work entails improper sitting posture, lifting of heavy objects and generally working without any safety measures. The artisans were mostly aware of the many dangers associated their work which is largely unregulated. For policy implication, city authorities must consider a re-engineering of the entire workplace of the artisans by planning and demarcating the structure in accordance with standard practice to enable work to be done in a safe and healthy environment.
Workplace Safety and Accidents among Artisans at Kokompe - Accra, Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2014-12) Appiah, S.O.
Workplace safety and health is a crucial concern for all—wage earners, employers/management and the society as a whole. This is because workplace injuries and accidents have many ramifications on the life of the individual worker as well as others in society. Consequently, countries, as diverse as they are, have put in place mechanisms to ensure the safety of workers through several administrative, policy and legal instruments. Indeed, today the safety and health of workers is considered a global human rights issue. In spite of this, the informal sector that employed the majority of low skilled workers in developing economies is often neglected in most systematic studies. The informal sector has attracted less attention not only from government but also from academics, policy researchers and human rights advocacy groups. In the rare instances where studies are conducted, they tend to focus on productivity to the neglect of safety. In Ghana where the informal sector of the economy has outgrown the formal sector, as a consequence of the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) undertaken in the 1980s, and, the Highly Indebted but Poor Initiatives (HIPC) in the 2000s, have deregulated and liberalized the Ghanaian economy and resulted in shrinking the role of the state in job creation. Consequently, vehicle repairs and spare parts retail have become one of the common features of the informal economy since many middle-class workers rely on imported vehicles from Europe and the North America. In spite of the popularity of the vehicle repairs and spare parts business, the physical environment in which the artisans work, and their occupational health and safety (OHS) conditions are often absent from intellectual discourse regarding their business activities. As such, this study explored artisans’ experiences with occupational hazards and the coping strategies within their work environment. The study utilised the qualitative in-depth interview and observational methods to understand the general level of safety among the artisans at Kokompe in Accra. The artisans selected for the study included auto-mechanics, autoelectricians, auto-welders, auto sprayers and auto-spare parts dealers made up of master artisans, apprentices and other workers. In all 58 artisans were selected through convenience and snowballing sampling techniques. In addition, six key informants from state inspection agencies and other departments concerned with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in Ghana were interviewed. The study revealed that the general level of safety and working conditions among the artisans was poor as all processes—welding, spraying mechanical and other artisanal activities—were carried out at the same place often resulting in multiple exposures to different hazards and safety concerns. The predisposing factors leading to these were human, environmental and mechanical. However, most of the artisans attributed accidents and injuries to unforeseeable events or spiritual forces. Significantly, it was observed that the activities of the Department of Factories Inspectorate do not cover the operations of informal small-scale artisans. Among several recommendations, the study proposes the urgent need to incorporate basic occupational health and safety practices into the informal apprenticeship training sessions for the artisans. In addition, there is the urgent need to pass the National OHS Bill into law.