Refereed Journals

In this study, waste clay bricks were collected, ground and used to replace Portland cementbetween 10 and 40 wt.%. The optimum cement replacement was obtained using compressivestrength whereas the degree of hydration and heat evolution characteristics investigated usingthe thermogravimetric analyzer and the isothermal calorimeter respectively. The compressivestrength results indicated that the optimum Portland cement replacement with Ground WasteClay Bricks (GWCB) was at 30 wt.%. This was due to the high degree of pozzolanic reaction in theGWCB-Portland cement system. The heat of hydration of the GWCB-cement system was alsolower than the control system. The use of GWCB is recommended as a suitable pozzolan and theiruse as a pozzolanic material could be a way to redirect waste generated in clamp-fired brickfactories in West Africa.

Seat belt use does not only save lives but prevents the severity of injuries in road traffic crashes (RTCs). Vehicle type and usage have been found to influence the use of seat belt in cities like Kumasi, the host of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus. This paper presents a study on an un-obstructive survey of seat belt use by vehicle occupants entering and leaving KNUST campus through the four entrances from 7 to 9 am and 3 to 5 pm on five weekdays. A total of 5489 vehicles with 9542 occupants comprising 5489 drivers, front-right and first back seat and second back seat passengers were observed. The majority of the private and SUV drivers used seat belts. Meanwhile, almost all the commercial drivers did not use seat belts. There is a statistically significant relationship between vehicle type and use and the use of seat belt in KNUST.

This study explored street hawkers’ lived experiences and risks in traffic using the phenomenological case study design. Data from 24 hawkers at three hawking spots and field observations form the basis of our study. A stratified purposeful sampling scheme was employed to ensure a balance of gender and age. Thematic data analytic strategy was employed in the data analysis. We found that participants’ traffic incidents were mainly self-induced, attributable to their negligence on the road, indiscriminate road crossing and car-following behaviour. Our results suggest a perceived relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and personal traffic accident encounters. Also, we noted that the ability to manage traffic risk seem to influence hawkers’ traffic risk perceptions, with gender and age as possible mediators. As this study is exploratory, we recommend further scientific enquiry to explain these issues and to provide the basis for appropriate interventions to manage the road safety implications of this activity.

Interurban commercial bus drivers are confronted with inherent risk of over speeding, road curvature, road geometry, and weather condition predisposing them to Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs). Lived experiences of inter-urban commercial bus drivers involved in RTCs in Ghana remains relatively underreported. This relates to their experiences and opinions on the causes of RTCs and the post-experiences as survivors. This paper is an exploratory qualitative study involving face-to-face in-depth interviews with 15 interurban commercial bus drivers who survived RTCs and still drive. The sample was a mix of purposive and snowball sampling techniques at the terminals/stations of interurban commercial bus drivers in Cape Coast, the Capital city of Central Region. The analysis revealed environmental factors (such as weather condition, road surface, road curvature) accounted for the RTCs. Survivors received poor pre-hospital trauma care and no welfare package. Measures to RTCs could include road/transport infrastructure improvements and survivors are to be provided with social welfare package.

The world is becoming more urbanised with over 60% of the total population forecast to live in cities by 2050. This comes with complex challenges in the efficient management of cities. Also, peri-urban landscapes, that transition between cities and rural areas, have become focal points for interventions to make these zones resilient and sustainable. Countries in sub Saharan Africa (SSA) are struggling to effectively mitigate the effects in the context of UN Agenda 2030 of sustainable development goals. For example, Ghana is experiencing rapid urbanisation in major towns such as Kyebi, the capital of the Akyem Abuakwa State, due to factors such as decentralisation, developmental projects, industrialisation, and democracy. Kyebi is developing into a city because of its strategic location, history, and the recent mining of its rich mineral deposits1. To develop Kyebi successfully, a concerted effort has been undertaken to develop a holistic master plan that would make the future community smart, resilient and sustainable. The plan studies sought to unearth the potential of the Kyebi community and propose alternative physical and structural plans for the peri urban landscape. A mixed method approach was adopted for the study. First a comprehensive literature study on cultural, resilience and smart city concepts was accomplished. Then a two week survey was conducted in Kyebi and its surroundings. The data collated formed the basis of creating scenarios for future development. The study revealed three key catalysts for future development: 1. The unique cultural history of the city; 2. The enormous gold and bauxite deposits; and, 3. the potential for industrialisation and human capital development. The study recommended that Kyebi be developed into a smart cultural city