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Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI)

ANNUAL REPORT 2010

UP BOX 40

KNUST – KUMASI

Tel: (233) 03220 – 60064; 60065; 60066; 60067

Fax +233 – 03220 – 60068

WEBSITE

www.brri.org

EMAIL

brriadmin@gmail.com

EDITORIAL TEAM

I. K. Yankson

Dr. N. K. Nsiah Achampong

K. J. Mensah

ISSN: 0855 - 1715

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Table of Contents Page

Introduction 1

Vision of CSIR-BRRI 1

Mission Statement of CSIR-BRRI 1

Mandate of CSIR-BRRI 2

Members of Management Board – 2010 2

Internal management Committee – 2010 2

Research and Development 3

Consultancy and Technical Services 13

Technology Transfer 15

Mid-Year Commercialisation Review 16

Conferences/Workshops/Seminars 17

Internal Seminars 18

Director’s Presentation at STX-Ghana 19

Road Safety Audit Management Workshop 20

Exhibitions 21

D-G’s Visit to CSIR Basic School – Kumasi 23

Director-General Pays Courtesy Call on Asantehene 24

Special Visits 26

Human Resource 28

CSIR-BRRI Credit Union Offices Inaugurated 30

Publications 30

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Introduction:

The Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) was set up in 1952 as the West African

Building Research Institute (WABRI) in Accra to test imported building materials. In 1960,

WABRI was renamed Building Research Institute, under the then Ghana Academy of

Sciences. In 1963, the Institute was moved to the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah

University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The Institute’s mandate was expanded to

include road research in 1964.

Through researchers from a wide professional spectrum, the Institute has successfully

carried out its research activities in the built environment, as well as in the area of road

safety management to support the socio-economic development of Ghana.

The Institute’s research activities are undertaken by five technical and three non-technical

divisions. The technical divisions are: Building Materials Development, Construction,

Geotechnical Engineering; Structures, Planning and Design; and Traffic and Transportation.

The three non-technical divisions are: Administration, Communication and Information and

Finance.

Among the major technical activities of the institute are: geotechnical and geological

investigations, slope stability studies, best construction practices and technologies, road

crash studies, boundary demarcation and land administration, architectural design of

buildings and development of building materials from local resources.

The Institute’s research accomplishments include the development of pozzolana cement,

design and construction of timber bridges across and construction supervision of 104

kilometer Kumasi City Roads Rehabilitation Project. Other outstanding achievements are

the establishment of a National Accident Database, rehabilitation of 325 Primary Schools in

the Northern Ghana and design and construction of 650 No. Ashongman housing project

with a cost saving of 30 percent. The rest are design and construction supervision of Tailings

Storage Facility for mining companies in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali. Other outstanding

feats have been accomplished in civil, geotechnical and environmental engineering.

Vision of CSIR-BRRI

To be a commercial-oriented research and development organization in the construction

industry.

Mission Statement of CSIR-BRRI

• To profitably provide research and development products, processes and services to

the building and road sectors for the socio-economic development of Ghana.

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Mandate of CSIR-BRRI

• To undertake research into all aspects of building and road with respect to planning,

design, construction and maintenance to assist the construction industry perform

efficiently, safely and cost-effectively.

• To develop construction materials from local materials to reduce construction cost

and make housing affordable.

Members of Management Board -2010

Ing. W.E.O. Apatu Chairman

Dr.(Mrs) Rose-Emma Enstua Mensah Member Deputy Director-General, CSIR

Mr. Eugene Atiemo Member Director, CSIR-BRRI

Mr. Bernard Abeiku Arthur Member Representative of Ministry of Transport

Dr. Yaw Opoku Ankomah Member Director, CSIR-WRI

Dr. Evans Addai Member

Mr. Kwame Afreh Member Representative of Association of Building &

Civil Contractors of Ghana

Mr. H.D. Adomako-Mensah Secretary Administrative Officer, CSIR-BRRI

Co-opted Members:

Mr. F. K. Afukaar Deputy Director, CSIR-BRRI

Mr. M.B. Braimah Accountant, CSIR-BRRI

Members of Internal Management Committee - 2010

Mr. Eugene Atiemo, Director - Chairman

Mr. Francis Afukaar, Deputy Director - Member

Dr. J. K. Boadi, Head, Materials Division - Member

Mrs. Bettie Solomon-Ayeh, Head Structures, D & P Division - Member

Mr. Ernest Osei-Tutu, Head, Construction Division - Member

Mr. J.B. Ofiri-Atuahene, Head, CID/Marketing Officer - Member

Mr. M. B. Braimah, Head, Finance Division - Member

Mr. William Agyemang, Head, T&T Division - Member

Mr. Seth Owusu Nyako, Head, Geotechnical Eng. Division - Member

Mr. Richard Quaynor, Rep. BRRI-RSA - Member

Mr. A. Amponsah-Fordjour, Rep. BRRI-SSA - Member

Mr. Santos Beyogley, Rep. PSWU/TUC - Member

Mr. H. D. Adomako-Mensah, Head, Admin. Division - Member

Mrs. Phyllis Nketia, Administrative Officer - Member/Sec

Mr. Isaac Kofi Yankson, Scientific Secretary - In Attendance

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1.0 Research and Development Activities

1.1 Impact Assessment of Promoting Partnership with Traditional Authority:

Model for Decentralisation Policy.

Promoting partnership with traditional Authority Project (PPTAP) was designed to translate

into reality the vision of having our traditional leaders play pivotal roles in community

development. The project was to test the role that chiefs, queen mothers and other opinion

leaders could play in the decentralization of community development. In spite of the

presence of some challenges in respect of project implementation such as slow pace in the

payment of counterpart fund contributions; this novelty achieved spectacular successes.

This project discussed the results of a questionnaire survey that looked at the role played by

traditional authorities and community involvement in infrastructure development for 40

selected communities in Ashanti region under PPTAP, with support from the International

Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank and the Government of Ghana.

Among the projects executed under the PPTAP were:

� Construction of 27 No. 6 Unit Classroom Block

� Rehabilitation of Classroom Blocks for some communities

� 42 No. 6 Bedroom Teacher’s Quarters

� 39 No. Boreholes fitted with hand Pumps

� 39 No. Suitable Toilet Facility (Aqua Privy/Enviro-Loo System)

During the reporting year, project impact assessment on the lives of beneficiaries was

conducted. The following findings were discovered:

� Punctuality of pupils and teachers to school had improved.

� Healthcare services had been brought to the doorstep of the children,

women/caregivers and the entire beneficiary communities.

� Development plans had been formulated for each participating community and

paramountcy.

� Business partnerships had been established with the private sector using outcomes

of inventory on cultural heritage sites

The project concluded that the inclusion of traditional authorities in beneficiary

communities helped in an accurate identification of community needs, savings on cost

and high quality workmanship as well as strengthened ownership. For community-based

development, the project recommended a Tripartite Partnership (TPP), where

Traditional Authorities work in tandem with the Public and Private Sectors to ensure

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sustainable national development. PPTAP presented an excellent framework for such

TPP arrangements.

A six-bedroom Teachers’ Quarters at Nobewam, Ejisu-Juaben District, Ashanti

1.2 A study of Housing Facilities at Traditional Old Towns in Ghana:

Kentinkrono and Ayeduase Case Study

Housing is one of the basic needs of life and it is often used as an indicator for measuring

the citizens’ wellbeing and hence the level of development of the country. It is for this

reason that, the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II (GPRS II, 2006) treats housing

provision as a strategic area for stimulating economic growth while at the same time

improving the living conditions of Ghanaians. In recent times, information on access to basic

housing facilities is used as a measure of the standard of living of people in human

settlements. In traditional old towns in Ghana, access to these housing facilities are a

problem. Therefore, improved access to basic household facilities and infrastructure such as

bathrooms, kitchens, toilets, water and electricity need to be examined. This would help

policy makers, investors and institutions that aim at alleviating poverty, provide houses with

the basic housing facilities.

This research seeks to investigate accessibility to basic housing facilities in traditional towns

in Ghana by using Kentinkrono and Ayeduase in Kumasi Metropolis as case studies. Data

collection had been done and analysis ongoing.

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A bathroom located outside a house in Ayeduase

1.3 Development of Binary and Ternary Cement using Local Mineral

Admixtures

The suitability of masonry mortar for various constructional applications is dependent on

some vital engineering properties and production cost. In a majority of masonry

formulations, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is the principal binding agent. However, the

current trend of cement cost in Ghana has rendered masonry mortar formulation quite

expensive.

Clay Pozzolana produced from cost efficient local technology and limestone powder was

used as admixtures in cement. Physical and chemical properties of the mineral admixtures

were analysed. The particle sizes of the materials were also investigated. Binary and ternary

pastes and mortars were formulated using some percentages of pozzolana, limestone and

pozzolana-limestone to replace part of the expensive ordinary portland cement. Water

demand and setting time tests were determined on the binder paste whilst compressive

strength test was performed on mortars cured in water for 7 and 28 days.

The Test results indicated that ASTM type M and S mortars could be formulated from binary

and ternary mortar mixes.

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Stacks of Pozzolana Ball Mill at the Pozzolana Factory

1.4 Associations between Gender and Pedestrian Injury in Ghana

Ghana has one of the highest rates of pedestrian injury in the world. The study sought to

elucidate the underlying risk factors predisposing males to pedestrian injuries. This study

aimed to examine the association between gender and pedestrian fatality rates in Ghana.

A national retrospective cohort study of police-reported pedestrian injuries in Ghana

between January and December, 2008 was conducted. Data were analyzed using multi-

variable logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio of pedestrian fatality for males relative

to females, adjusting for three principal confounders; pedestrian age, road environment and

time of day.

Over a one year period, there were 2,710 police-reported pedestrian injuries, which

satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the analysis, among whom 27% had fatal injuries.

Gender was significantly associated with pedestrian fatality, with males having a higher

adjusted odds ratio of fatal injury relative to female pedestrians (AOR 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1 to

1.6)). Compared to the adults aged between 18 and 60 years, children and older adults are

at elevated risks of death; OR 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3 to 1.9) and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.9 to 3.5)

respectively.

Male pedestrians were more likely to be fatally injured than their female counterparts. The

excess risk of male fatality cut across all age groups, road environment, and time of day.

“Responsible pedestrianism”, (e.g., avoiding drunk/drugged walking, distraction whilst

crossing roads, selling on/near roads and patronising pedestrian facilities like footbridges)

are hereby recommended to prevent the excess male pedestrian risk and to ultimately

improve upon the pedestrian safety in Ghana.

Expected Outcome

This work will help policy makers in strategizing for pedestrian injury prevention

programmes.

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1.5 Utilisation of some Ghanaian Mineral Admixtures for Masonry Mortar

Formulation

Portland cement has been the traditional building material extensively used for masonry

mortar in Ghana. However in most developed countries, mineral admixtures such as fly ash,

silica fume, slag, calcined clay, shales etc. are incorporated in cement for masonry mortar

formulation. The utilization of these mineral admixtures has been found to be associated

with technical, ecological and economic benefits.

In Ghana, builders and engineers are always confronted with the high cost of Portland

cement. This problem has rendered cement based construction works expensive. In this

work, locally available cementitious minerals were analysed and used to replace part of

expensive Portland cement for the formulation of masonry mortar. The cementitious

materials used for the study were pozzolana produced from Mankranso clay in the Ashanti

Region and limestone obtained from Ortekpolu in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

The raw materials for the study were readily available in Ghana. Unlike cement production,

less expensive processing technology was employed for the processing of the pozzolana and

limestone. The materials for the study were Class 42.5 Ordinary Portland Cement obtained

from Ghacem Limited; Pozzolana produced from Mankranso clay; Natural sand obtained

from Fumesua and Clean Potable Water. Plain and blended cement paste, Pozzolana and

limestone were formulated for setting times and compressive strength determination.

Portland cement replacements were done at 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40%. The vicat

apparatus was used for setting time determination whilst the strength testing machine was

used for the compressive strength test.

At 1:3 binder to sand ratio, masonry mortars containing 30% Ortekpolu limestone powder

or 25% Mankranso clay Pozzolana produced a type M mortar. Utilisation of either the

limestone powder or clay Pozzolana could reduce masonry mortar cost between 20% and

25%. The engineering properties of the formulated masonry mortar showed that the

mineral admixtures were very suitable.

Expected Outcome

The following are expected to benefit from the research:

Civil engineers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Masons and building contractors

1.6 Impact of Traffic Calming Measures on Vehicle Velocity and Pedestrian

Injury Rates in Ghana: A Matched Case Control Evaluation

Pedestrian injuries are a growing Public Health problem in developing countries. Crash

statistics have shown in recent years that pedestrian fatalities constitute over 60% of all

urban road user deaths in developing countries. Conversely, many High-Income-Countries

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generally have less than 15% of their traffic victims being pedestrians. One key risk factor of

pedestrian injuries is excessive vehicular speeds. Police reported crash data show that 65%

of pedestrian fatality between 2002 and 2006 in Ghana could be attributed to excessive

speeding. In an effort to combat speed related pedestrian injuries in Ghana various speed

calming devices had been installed on hazardous road locations.

Initial evaluation of few speed calming devices in Ghana showed a significant decline of

pedestrian injury severity. The efficacies of speed calming devices are also reported

elsewhere. Installation of speed humps in residential neighborhoods in Oakland, New

Zealand, significantly reduced child-pedestrians injury by 53%. After the initial evaluation of

few speed calming devices in Ghana, no follow-up studies had been conducted to find out

their performance over time. A comprehensive appraisal of speed calming devices of various

types in Ghana to determine whether the initial decline had been sustained or short lived

was conducted.

The study objective was to determine the association between speed calming devices, the

trends of vehicle speeds and pedestrian injuries in built-up areas in Ghana.

Vehicle speeds were measured on the selected settlements where there were speed

calming measures compared with speeds in similar environments where there were no

interventions. The speed data and BRRI data base were used to develop models using the

conditional logistic regression analysis for matched case-control data.

Expected Outcome:

This study will inform engineers, safety practitioners, government officials, etc. to formulate

informed policy.

Stage Reached:

Data collection had been done and analysis ongoing.

1.7 Identification and Characterisation of Anti-Termicidal Compounds from

Local Plant Materials

Many commercial termiticides are available for controlling the destructive activities of

termites. However, the negative impact on human health and the environment associated

with their use is a major concern. So there is an increasing interest in using natural products

in pest control, because of their low mammalian toxicity and environmental safety. Some

local plant materials have been mentioned as potential alternatives.

The objective of this work was to determine the anti-termitic efficacy of selected locally

available plants including Thevetia peruviana (pers) K Shum; Carapa procera DC; Jatropha

curcus L; Cassia nigricans Vahl; Cymbopogon ginganteus (Hachst); Hyptis spicigera Lam.,

Vetiver zizaniodes Nash and Chromolaena Odorata L .

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Following the identification and collection of experimental plant and termite samples, a

series of field and laboratory experiments were conducted using parts or products of the

plants to determine their antitermitic efficacy measured as their resistance to termite

destruction, repellency and toxicity to termites. This was followed by extraction using three

organic solvents and the analysis of the most efficacious extract by chromatography (thin

layer, column and high pressure) and spectrometry (mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic

resonance and infra red) methods. These enabled the identification of the active ingredients

in the most efficacious plant.

Efficacy of the studied plants was defined in this study as: resistance to termite destruction,

repellency and toxicity to termites. Resistance to termite destruction was measured by the

loss in weight of stakes buried in treated and untreated soil, and visual assessment of

destruction using methods described by Pearce. Repellency was indicated by movement of

termites to or away from filter paper pads treated and untreated. Toxicity was a measure of

survival, following exposure of termites to various plant materials. Regression analysis using

STATA version 10 was used to compare the mean weight losses of stakes buried in soils

treated, following exposure to termites adjusting for soil samples.

The results showed that soil treated with powdered materials from Thevetia peruviana

offered the highest protection to buried stakes against damage by subterranean termites as

indicated by the repeated measures in weight and the visual assessment of destruction. By

these assessments, the wood samples buried in soil treated with pulverised products from

Thevetia peruviana suffered the least damage by termites compared to damage to wood

samples buried in soils treated with powdered samples from the other plants. Field tests

conducted on pet ether, ethanol and water extracts of Thevetia peruviana suggested that

the ethanol extract was the most efficacious. In the repellency/attrantancy test, ethanol

extract was found to be an attractant. When the fractionated components of the ethanol

extract were tested on brine shrimps, fraction 1 was found to be highly toxic, suggesting

obvious cytotoxicity. When Fraction 1 was separated by chromatography methods and

further analysed with spectrometry, two components were obtained. Comparing data with

standard ones showed the isolated compound to be digitoxin and digitoxigenin. Sucrose was

also isolated from the crude ethanolic extract of T. peruviana.

Expected Outcome

Implementation of this research finding will impact positively on human health and the

environment.

1.8 Road Use Behaviour of Urban Primary School Children in Ghana: A Case

Study of Ablekuma South Education Circuit of Metropolitan Accra

Approximately 310 children were killed through traffic injuries each year, between 2001 and

2005. Children, particularly school-age children, are the group at greatest risk. In Ghana,

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slightly over one out of every four persons killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes is a

child pedestrian of school going age. The early school age child appears to represent a

“window of vulnerability” in which the skills needed to safely handle traffic exceed the

abilities of the child at this developmental age.

The study was to observe the road use behaviour of urban public primary school pupils in

the Ablekuma South Circuit of Ghana Education Service in the Accra Metropolis.

The study was an unobtrusive observational one. Primary school pupils of grades 1-6 were

targeted. Five (5) behaviours/variables were graded, which were: Walking while crossing

the road; Stopping at the curb; Looking left-right-left before crossing the road; Keep looking

left-right-left while crossing the road and Facing traffic while walking along the road.

Sites chosen for the unobtrusive observation of pupils did not include those protected by

traffic wardens/crossing guards, as pupils’ behaviour could have been influenced in those

sites.

Eight (8) public primary schools were randomly selected from the Ablekuma South Circuit,

Ghana Education Service, of the Accra Metropolis. A minimum of 100 pupils were observed

from each primary school for the behaviours mentioned above. Eight hundred and eighty

two (882) pupils were unobtrusively observed while on their way to and/or from school.

A little over 2 in 3 children stopped at the kerb before crossing the road while almost 3 in 4

children looked for cars before stepping off the kerb. A little over 3 in 4 children walked

while crossing as against less than 1 in 4 children who kept looking while crossing the road.

Not looking for cars before crossing, not facing on-coming traffic and not keeping looking

for cars while crossing the road, were more associated with boys than they were for girls

(p<0.001 in all cases). This means that girls behaved significantly more safely than boys. In

stopping at the kerb, there was no difference in gender behaviour (p=0.135).

Child Road Safety Education in Schools and Communities is recommended.

Expected Output

The study will inform policy direction in helping to reduce childhood road traffic injuries in

Ghana.

1.9 Low-Cost Rural Road Surfacing: The Use of Burnt Clay Bricks

The life-cycle cost of the gravel surfaced road, which has been the traditional response to

rural

and feeder roads in Ghana, has proved to be relatively high. In 2003, CSIR-BRRI used burnt

clay

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bricks that met the ASTM specification No. C902-99 for Pedestrian and Light Traffic

Pavements

to pave about 250 meters of its internal road network.

This study looked at the burnt-clay-brick-surfaced road at the CSIR-BRRI and established it as

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case basis for the suitability and best practices of using burnt clay bricks as an appropriate,

economical and sustainable alternative for surfacing of rural roads in the West African Sub

region to promote socio-economic development.

Expected Output

The study is expected to benefit feeder road officials, rural road contractors and local

residents.

1.10 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Upgrade of Tide Gauges in

Africa

(GUITA) Project

The use of Space Technology has made very little impact on the African continent,

therefore, research in Satellite and Physical Geodesy and other Earth Sciences in Africa

should look in this direction.

GUITA project aims at upgrading the existing Tide Gauge Installations by collocating them

with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers to enable

• the study of the plate boundary between Nubian and Somalian Plates of the African

Continent

• the implementation of a unique Geodetic Reference Frame for Africa (AFREF)

• the development of Tsunami Early Warning Systems (TEWS) for Atlantic and Indian

Ocean Regions.

The proximity of the two reference stations has enabled the team to determine the

approximate deviation from the ‘Earth Geoid Model 1996’, EGM96 a global geoid

undulation which could be corrected with the value obtained from this study and used for

GPS heighting, until a National Geoid Map is made. The Takoradi Tide Gauge has been

collocated with a Permanent GPS Reference station. A precise Level has been made to link it

to one of the permanent GNSS stations in Ghana [the Takoradi GRN station] which is

approximately 2 km away.

Expected Outcome:

This study would help to determine the Geoid Undulation along the coast of Ghana and

finally the whole country.

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1.11 Optimizing the Engineering Properties of Natural Gravel for Road Sub-

base and Base Construction Using Pozzolana and lime.

The unavailability of in-situ good grade road construction materials to rehabilitate urban

roads and to construct rural roads has been a major concern to the government of Ghana

and contractors. The absence of such on-site material is that contractors have had to mine

and transport them off-site or use other materials such as crushed rock, thus increasing the

cost of road projects.

Natural gravel is the most abundant road construction material in Ghana. However, with

only 26% and 2% of these laterite soils in Ghana meeting specifications for sub-base and

base course respectively, effective stabilization of in-situ gravels will reduce road

construction cost and make road projects feasible.

The objectives of this research were to:

• Determine quantitatively the improvement of the engineering properties of clayey

and sandy gravels with the addition of clay-pozzolana and/or lime.

• Compare with established roadwork requirements in Ghana.

• Optimize the best mix ratio for the stabilization.

Expected Output

Ministries of Roads & Highways and Transportation, Ghana Highway Authority, Departments

of Urban and Feeder Roads as well as other private road contractors would benefit from this

work.

Stage Reached

Laboratory work is on-going.

2.0 Consultancy and Technical Services

• Verification Test on “I’M AWARE” safety device. Field test of this safety devise had

been completed and report submitted to the client, Driver Vehicle and Licensing

Authority (DVLA).

• Verification test on reflective wrist band. Field test of the devise had been

completed and a report submitted to the client, National Road Safety Commission.

• CSIR Head Office Internal Road Project. Designs were completed and reports

submitted. (Client: CSIR).

• Building Condition Survey at Kenyasi. One hundred and ninety three (193) buildings

were surveyed, and final report submitted. (Client: Newmont Ghana Limited).

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for AngloGold Ashanti Iduaperim Limited.

Inception Report was submitted and Field Survey completed. (Client: Anglogold

Ashanti Iduapriem Limited).

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• Building Crack Investigations at Teberebie Community, Western Region. The field

work had been completed and laboratory testing and final report written. Crack

monitoring ongoing. (Client: Anglogold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited).

• Concrete Testing. The client, Maxdek, CMC. The project had been completed.

• Renovation and Construction Supervision of 10 No. various projects at Nyankpala,

Wa and Manga Stations. The client is CSIR- SARI. Cost estimates were submitted.

• Road Safety Audit Management Training was organized for Engineers, Planners and

Contractors in Koforidua. The client was the National Road Safety Commission.

• Systematic Surveying, Parcel Inventory and Systematic Title Registration of

Properties at Nhyiaeso, Kumasi. The client is the Ministry of Lands and Natural

Resources (Land Administration Project, LAP). Eighty five percent (85%) of the work

was completed.

• Annual (2009) Road Accident Statistics. The client is the National Road Safety

Commission. Final Report (25 copies) were submitted to NRSC for distribution to

other stakeholders.

• Technical Audit of Design and Construction of 100,000 Tonnes Capacity Warehouse

Complex at Apowa-kajebril, Takoradi for Ghana Cocoa Board. Traffic &

Geotechnical

Studies were carried out as part of the technical audit. Geometric design of the

Access Road linking Apowa junction through Cocobod junction to Kejebril had been

complete. Draft Final Reports (5 copies each of the following) were been submitted

to client:

- Technical Audit of on-going construction of Cocobod Warehouse complex at

Kejebril, Takoradi, Western Region

- Reconstruction of Main Access Road to the 100,000-Tonne Warehouse Complex

at Kejebril, Takoradi, Western Region.

- Geometric Design Drawings for the reconstruction of the Main Access Road

• Technical Audit of the Construction of Market Stores at Ejisu. The client is the Ejisu-

Juaben Municipal Assembly. The project had been completed.

• Design and Construction Supervision of Re-fencing of Takoradi Thermal Power

Station at Aboadze. Work is on-going.

• Renovation of Executive Director’s Bungalow and Redevelopment of

Administration Block of the Ghana Standards Board. The client is Ghana Standards

Board. The Head Office Administration Block was 99% complete while the Director’s

Bungalow was 80% complete.

• Upgrading and Rehabilitation of Infrastructural Facilities for Ghana Sumatra at

Kusi-Kade (Phase 1). The client is Sumatra Ghana Limited. It is 85% complete.

• Customary Boundary Demarcation at Juaben-Land Administration Project (LAP).

The client is the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. Seventy five percent (75%)

of the work was completed.

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• Blast Project Identification for Newmont Ghana Limited, Kenyasi, Phases III and IV.

The client was Newmont Ghana Limited. Work had been completed and final reports

submitted.

• Iduapriem EIA Project (Joint project with UMaT) for AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem

Limited, Iduapriem. The Client was AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited. EIA fully

completed; permit for construction and operation had been given to client by the

EPA.

• Basic Education School Project (BESP), Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions. The client

is Ministry of Education. Seventy eight percent (78%) of the work was completed.

• Construction and Construction Supervision of Science Block and Science Park

Complex for Sunyani Polytechnic. The client is GET Fund/Sunyani Polytechnic. The

Science Block was 73% complete while the Science Park Complex was 8% complete.

• Anti-Termite Treatment at CSIR-OPRI, Kusi-Kade. The client is CSIR-Oil Palm

Research Institute. Ninety five percent (95%) of the consultancy was completed.

• Percussion Drilling in Accra for Mallam By-Pass. The client is EarthTech Engineers.

Work had been completed.

• EIA for Cyanide Sparging Facility at Iduapriem, Tarkwa. The client is AngloGold

Ashanti Iduapriem Limited. The project had been completed and permit received

from EPA.

• EIA for Pozzolana Plant at Gomoa Mprumem. The client is Pozzolana Ghana Limited.

The project had been completed and permit received from EPA.

• Technical Audit on the Construction of Stalls at Ejisu Market. The client was Ejisu-

Juaben Municipal Assembly. Work had been completed and final report submitted.

• Construction of Staff Quarters. The client is Ejisu – Juaben Municipal Assembly.

Report for Feasibility studies Submitted, Working Drawing and Tender Document are

in Progress.

• Drilling for Piezometer Installation at Obuasi. The client is Pamicor. Drilling site has

been visited.

• Construction of 2 - Storey Staff Quarters at St Joseph College of Education, Bechem,

BA/R. The client is GETFUND. Contract awarded, Work in progress

• Construction of 2 - Storey Administration Block at Mampong Technical College of

Education, A/R. The client is GETFUND. Contract awarded, Work in progress

• Construction of 2 - Storey Staff Quarters with 12 seater 2- no. water closets at

Berekum College of Education, BA/R. The client is GETFUND. Contract awarded,

Work in progress

• Road Surfacing of Akorekeri Training College – A/R. The client is GET FUND. Contract

awarded, Work in progress.

• Construction of 1No. Semi-detached Bungalow, Renovation of 3No. Bungalow and

Conversion of Canteen in to a Cafeteria at Agogo College of Education, A/R. The

client

is GETFUND. Contract awarded, Work in progress.

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• Procurement of Sundry Items at St. Monica’s College of Education– A/R. The client is

GETFUND. Contract awarded, Work in progress

• EIA for Cyanide Spurging Facility at Iduapirem. The client was Anglogold, Iduapirem

Limited. The project had been completed and Final Report submitted.

• Drilling for Piezometer Installation at Konongo. The client is Knight Piesold Ghana

Limited. Drilling is ongoing.

3.0 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

A Commercial Pozzolana Plant which is in operation had been established at Gomoa

Mprumem, near Apam Junction in the Central Region, following the technology transfer.

Rear view of the Pozzolana Factory at Gomoa Mprumem Kiln for firing nodules at the factory

4.0 MID-YEAR COMMERCIALIZATION REVIEW

The CCID organized a two- day Commercialization Review Session from Tuesday, July 20 to

Wednesday July 21, 2010 at CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi. The meeting involved presentations on;

• Commercialisation of CSIR Research Products by

• Progress report on the CSIR Institutes’ commercialization activities from

January to June 2010

The purpose of the exercise was to track results, analyse the difference between plan and

actual results, and to effect the necessary changes, among others. The Institute was

represented by:

• Mr. J. B. Ofiri-Atuahene (Head, CID/Marketing Officer) and

• Mr. Isaac Kofi Yankson (Scientific Secretary)

19

5.0 CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS

Name Theme/Type Organisers Date/Duration Place

Dr. (Mrs) Bettie Solomon-

Ayeh; Mrs. T. Ama Tagbor;

Mrs. Florence Fleitcher-

Djoleto; Mrs. Phyllis

Nketiah;Mrs. Comfort

Addae & Ms. Bernice

Adjololo

Mentoring Workshop for CSIR

Female Scientists

CSIR 06/12/10

to

08/12/10

CSIR-STEPRI,

Accra

Mrs. Trinity Ama Tagbor Scene Setting Workshop on

Prioritisation of Ghana’s list

of Nationally Appropriate

Mitigation Actions (NAMAs)

Environmental

Protection

Agency (EPA)

21/11/10

to

24/11/10

Miklin Hotel,

Kumasi

Edmund Kwasi Debrah IRF / gTKP/ CHTS 2nd

International Convention on

Rural Roads

China Highway &

Transportation

Society/

International

Road Federation,

Switzerland

26/10/10

to

29/10/10

Jinan,

Shandong

Province,

China.

Messrs. Francis K. Afukaar;

James Damsere Derry &

Williams Ackaah

10th World Conference on

Injury Prevention and Safety

Promotion

Liverpool John

Moore

University

21/09/10

to

24/09/10

Queen

Elizabeth II

Conf. Centre,

London

Mr. Francis K. Afukaar International Conference on

Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic

Safety (ICADTS), 2010

Norwegian

Institute of

Public Health

20/08/10

to

26/08/10

Norway

Dr. (Mrs) Bettie Solomon-

Ayeh & Mrs. Trinity Ama

Tagbor

AGM of Gender and Energy

Network, Ghana

GEDA-Ghana,

ENERGIA and

GRATIS

08/07/10

to

09/07/10

Forest Hotel,

Dodowa

Mr. Eugene Atiemo 13th

Meeting of COMSATS

Coordinating Council

COMSATS 12/05/10

to

13/05/10

Trieste, Italy

Mr. Augustine Osei-

Frimpong & Mrs. Trinity

Ama Tagbor

Seminar on Termidor

(Termiticide), Abate

(Larvicide) and Other Public

Health Products

Dizengolf

Ghana

Limited/BASF-

SA

13/04/10 Yegoala

Hotel,

Kumasi

Mr. Joseph Owusu XXIV FIG Congress, 2010 International

Federation of

Surveyors

11/04/10

to

06/04/10

Sydney,

Australia

Messrs. Kofi Obeng;

Francis K. Afukaar;

J. B. Ofiri-Atuahene; Seth

Owusu Nyako & Isaac Kofi

Yankson

Achieving Organisational

Performance at the CSIR

CSIR 10/03/10 CSIR-STEPRI,

Accra

Mr. Kingsley Joe Mensah Training Workshop on “Web

2.0 Services and

Technologies” for CSIR Public

Relation Officers

CSIR 24/02/10

to

25/02/10

CSIR-INSTI,

Accra

Miss Naa Aku Mingle Training Course on Electronic CSIR 23/02/10 Accra

20

Records Management Course

for Clerical, Secretarial and

Archives Staff of CSIR

Institutes

to

04/02/10

Mr. Joseph Adjei-Danquah 2nd

Phase of the Shelter

Design and Development

Advanced International

Training Programme

University of

Lund, Sweden

15/02/10

to

16/02/10

Manila,

Philippines

6.0 INTERNAL SEMINARS

The following internal seminars were held in 2010:

Presenter Topic

Mr. Eugene Atiemo Studies on structural characteristics of blended cement using local

admixtures

Mr. Osei Osman The flexural effect of side bolted plated reinforced concrete beams

Mr. James Damsere Derry Assessment of crash risks associated with vehicles’ speeds in Ghana

Mr. Daniel Asenso-

Gyambibi

Managing the Growth of Ghanaian Cities – The Role of ICT

Mr. Prince Abrokwa Ofori Fire Safety Measures in High Rise Buildings within the Kumasi

Metropolis

Mr. Nana Kwame Nsia

Acheampong

Making a Good Paper Unpublishable

Mr. Bediako Mark Potential Use of Crushed Ghanaian Limestone in Paste and Mortar

Formulated for Masonry

Mr. Fredrick Manu Wireko Mitigating Global Climatic Change through the Use of Green Building

Materials

Mr. Isaac Kofi Yankson Reporting on Road Traffic Injury: Content Analysis of Injuries and

Prevention Opportunities in Ghanaian Newspapers

Mr. Eric Opoku Amankwah The Effect of Clay Pozzolana on Compressive and Tensile Strengths of

Portland Cement Concrete

Mr. Osei Frimpong Termite Infestations of Public Buildings: A Case Study of Volta Regional

Hospital, Ho

Dr. Yaw Poku-Gyamfi Establishment of GPS Reference Network in Ghana

Mrs. Florence Fleitcher-

Djoleto

Daylight Design: Enhancing Natural Light in Classrooms and Teaching

Spaces

Mr. K. Owusu Tawiah Construction Financing in Ghana: Improving the Contractors’ Cash-Flow

for Timely Delivery – The Case Study of Interim Payment Certificates

Mr. Richard Oduro

Asamoah

An Improved Method of Estimating Contingency Sum: The Use of

Quantitative Method

Mr. Seth Owusu Nyako Tit-Bits on Personal Preparedness for Earthquakes

Mr. Francis Yeboah Conversion of GPS Data into the National Coordinate System

Mr. Kingsley Joe Mensah Writing and Production of Scientific Institutional Annual Reports

Mrs. Ama Trinity Tagbor Extent of Termite Infestation in Four Communities of Ghana

Mr. J.B. Ofiri -Atuahene Managing the Customer as a Strategic Asset in Research Institutes

21

Mr. Ernest Osei-Tutu Promoting Partnership With Traditional Authorities Project: A fitting

Model for Community Infrastructure Project Delivery In Ghana

Mr. Kingsley Afre Nduro Criteria for Rating Contractor Performance in the Ghanaian

Construction Industry – Professional Perspective

Mr. Bawa Shaibu An Assessment of Skid Resistance and Macrotexture of Asphalt

Pavements in Ghana

Mr. Joseph Owusu GPS/GIS Application in Road Traffic Congestion Data Collection

Mr. Isaac Decardy-Nelson The Need for an HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy for CSIR-BRRI

Mr. Edmund Kwasi Debrah The Impact of Location of Fuel Service Stations on the Performance of

Signalized Intersections in Kumasi

Mr. Bernard Ofosu Evaluating the Impact of Blasting on Buildings at Teberebie, Tarkwa

Special Seminars Dr. Joseph Anochie-

Boateng (CSIR, South

Africa)

Research and Development in Roads and Materials Technology - A Way

forward

Dr. Paul K. Oduroh (USA) Subgrade Stabilisation Utilising Tensor Geogrid

7.0 DIRECTOR’S PRESENTATION AT STX-GHANA

The Director, Ing. Eugene Atiemo, who was ably supported by his Scientific Secretary, Mr.

Kofi Yankson, made a brilliant presentation on Pozzolana and burnt brick/tile to the

management of STX-Ghana in Accra on Thursday, September 9, 2010.

Among others, the presentation emphasised that Portland Cement is a very good material

but has some technical and environmental problems associated with it, which include:

high energy input for production; consuming 3 to 6 GJ of fuel per tonne of clinker

produced; environmental pollution due to release of CO2, CO, SO2, NOX, contributing to

about 10% of global pollution; a tonne of clinker releases a tonne of CO2, leading to global

warming; high shrinkage leading to poor bonding; alkali silica reaction; cracks in concrete

and easily attacked by acid water, especially sulphates.

He further said that current trend in cement production is to introduce admixtures or

additives to improve some of the cement properties and prevent the technical problems

associated with Portland cement. This, he emphasised, makes cement more workable and

plastic thus preventing acute shrinkage associated with Ordinary Portland cement.

The presentation indicated that introduction of admixtures leads to significant reduction of

greenhouse gas (such as carbon dioxide, methane or chlorofluorocarbons) emissions,

22

cement kiln dust during production, reduces energy consumption and also leads to

reduction of cost of production, thus making the cement product comparatively cheaper.

Pozzolanas are siliceous and aluminous substances which react with lime in the presence of

water to produce hydraulic compounds.

He stressed that using Pozzolana and burnt bricks will significantly reduce construction costs

and encouraged the management of STX-Ghana to consider them in their projects.

7.0 Road Safety Audit Management Workshop

A five-day Road Safety Audit management Workshop was organized for engineers from 18-

22 October, 2010 at the Ministry of Roads and Highways Training Centre, Koforidua.

Participants were from the road agencies, such as, Ghana Highway Authority, Department of

Urban Roads and Department of Feeder Roads. The opening ceremony was attended by

personnel from the National Road Safety Commission, Driver Vehicle and Licensing

Authority, Police MTTU and other agencies.

A group picture taken after the opening ceremony

23

8.0 EXHIBITIONS

8.1 Special “Meet-the-Press” on CSIR

The Institute participated in a Mini Exhibition on achievements and research outputs

of CSIR organized by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology at the

foyer of the Ministry of Information on Thursday, February 11, 2010.

Hon. Sherry Ayittey’s entourage at the CSIR-BRRI Stand The main event at the Min. of. Infoormation Conf.

Hall

8.2 The 14th

Ghana International Trade Fair

The Institute participated in the 14th

Ghana International Trade Fair organized by the

Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited in Accra from February 24th

to March 14, 2010.

The theme for the fair was “Accelerating Ghana’s Trade and Industrial Growth”.

8.3 The Scientific Renaissance of Africa Day Celebration:

This event took place at the CSIR-Food Research Institute on June 30, 2010. The CSIR-

BRRI took part in the exhibition at the event as shown below:

CSIR-BRRI Stand

8.4 NAFAC 2010

A two-member team consisting of Isaac Kofi Yankson, Scientific Secretary, and

Christopher Kyei, Driver, represented CSIR-BRRI at the NAFAC 2010 Exhibition hosted

at the Centre for National Culture, Tamale from November 19 to 26, 2010. The

Theme for the event was “Promoting Unity, Technology and Wealth Creation for a

24

Better Ghana: the Role of the Youth in Nation Building”. Over 300 people, including

Prof. Kofi Awoonor (Chairman, Council of State), Hon. Alex Asum-Ahensah (Minister,

Chieftaincy and Culture), Soldiers, Police, Fire and Prisons Officers visited the CSIR-

BRRI Stand, most of whom were interested in how they could readily get Pozzolana

and Burnt Bricks in areas such as Tamale, Accra, Tema, Dowenya, Koforidua, Hohoe,

etc., where they were putting up buildings.

Prof. Kofi Awoonor (3

rd from left) & Hon. Asum-Ahensah (2nd from left), listening attentively to Mr. Kofi Yankson

The following products were exhibited:

Mosquito Control Soak-Away Fired clay stones; Pozzolana; Portland Pozzolana Cement

Blocks; Paving Bricks; Fired Clay Slices (Facing Tiles) for Cladding; Floor Tiles and Some

Posters.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 was designated “Building Industry Day” and as a result, Mr.

Kofi Yankson presented a paper on some achievements and research outputs of CSIR-BRRI.

The Ghana Highway Authority and Department of Rural Housing also made presentations on

what they were engaged in. Present at the Symposium, among others, were Hon. Alex

Asum-Ahensah, Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Chief Director and other Directors, Prof.

George Panyin Hagan, Immediate Past Chairman of National Commission on Culture, among

others. Ghana Television covered the event. About 70 people attended the Symposium.

After Mr. Yankson’s presentation, some interesting questions which were asked included:

i) What is the CSIR-BRRI doing to influence building designs to reflect our

culture?

ii) Clay deposits in all the 10 regions, you said, had been evaluated by the CSIR-

BRRI and Geological Survey Department. What is the CSIR-BRRI doing to get

people to use burnt bricks then?

iii) Which energy source do you use in firing your bricks? Is it sustainable and

environmentally friendly?

iv) There have been concerns of late, about carbon imprints and using Palm

Kernel shells as your energy source add to these. Is there anything the CSIR-

BRRI is doing to reduce them?

v) What is the CSIR-BRRI doing to ensure that those of us in Northern Ghana get

brick factories and Pozzolana?

25

vi) You sometimes find some brick fence walls around secondary schools falling

apart with holes in some of them. How do you justify your statement that

bricks are stronger than sandcrete blocks?

These questions were very well dealt with.

Mr. Yankson met the Mayor of Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA), Hon. Anthony

Egyir Aikins, at the NAFAC Secretariat and after striking acquaintance, went with him to the

CSIR-BRRI Stand, sat and had some discussions about Pozzolana and Burnt Bricks. He

expressed the CCMA’s interest in setting up a brick factory around Mpeasem on the Twifo

Praso road to help generate employment among others. A church group also expressed

their interest in establishing a brick factory at ‘The King’s Village’, Bontanga, near Kumbungu

in the Northern Region.

9.0 DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S VISIT TO CSIR BASIC SCHOOL, KUMASI

In the afternoon of Friday, October 22, 2010, the Director-General, Dr. Abdullai Baba Salifu,

paid a working visit to the CSIR Basic School, Fumesua-Kumasi, to see for himself how the

latter was faring. He was accompanied by Directors of CSIR-BRRI, CSIR-CRI and CSIR-FORIG,

the School’s Management Board Members and some CSIR Staff. He held brief discussions

with the Institute Directors, Management Board Members and Teachers and also

encouraged Pupils of the School to learn hard.

He was highly impressed with developments at the school and commended the three

Fumesua-based CSIR Institute Directors, Staff and Management Board Members for good

work done. He also promised to entrust the Accra school project to the School’s Board

Members who also doubled as project committee.

D-G in a pose with some Directors, Teachers and Committee D-G, Directors of FORIG, BRRI & CRI and some

pupils

10.0 DIRECTOR-GENERAL PAYS COURTESY CALL ON ASANTEHENE

The Director-General, Dr. A. B. Salifu, paid a courtesy call on Otumfoכ Osei Tutu II at the

Manhyia Palace between the hours of 11:00AM and 12:15PM on Friday, October 22, 2010.

26

When asked about his mission there, Dr. Ebenezer Owusu Sekyere, immediate past National

RSA President sought Otumfoכ’s permission to introduce the CSIR delegation after which he

informed the gathering that the D-G and his team had been in Kumasi for a meeting and

were there to pay a courtesy call on him.

Dr. A. B. Salifu praised the Asantehene for his exemplary leadership, especially, his

Education Fund, which is being copied by other traditional authorities in the country. He

thanked Otumfoכ for hosting four (4) of the CSIR Institutes and expressed the interest of the

CSIR in assisting to develop the “Otumfoכ Children’s Park” located at the TUC Junction, near

Darkwadwom.

Dr. Salifu informed Otumfoכ that while CSIR-BRRI could help construct “seats” where

children could relax, CSIR-FORIG could establish a “butterfly sanctuary” at the park for

tourist attraction. The stream running through the park, according to the D-G, could also be

stocked with the appropriate fingerlings to enhance the aesthetics.

The D-G presented some CSIR products to Otumfoכ including; Rice from CSIR-SARI, Sheep

from CSIR-ARI, Fufu and Banku Powder from CSIR-FRI, Coconuts from CSIR-OPRI, Pozzolana

from CSIR-BRRI and some cash donation. Dr. Salifu finally pleaded with Otumfoכ to advocate

for the CSIR whenever the need arose.

A group photograph with Otumfoכ

In responding, Otumfoכ expressed his joy on hearing what the various Institutes of CSIR had

been doing, particularly, with the Pozzolana and the Fufu Powder. He asked a philosophical

question: where did things go wrong that for some time now, almost everything is sought

from foreigners, to the detriment of local expertise? He encouraged the CSIR Scientists not

to be discouraged about their conditions of service but to think about national interest.

The D-G’s team included Ing. Eugene Atiemo (Director, CSIR-BRRI), Rev. Dr. Hans Adu

Dapaah (Director, CSIR-CRI), Dr. Stella Enning (Dep. Director, CSIR-CRI), Dr. M. M. Buri (Dep.

Director, CSIR-SRI), Dr. Joseph A. Ampofo (National RSA President), Dr. Ebenezer O. Sekyere

(immediate past National RSA President), Dr. Emmanuel Moses (National RSA Vice

President), Dr. Margaret Ottah Atikpo (National RSA Secretary), Dr. E. Opuni Frimpong

(National RSA Vice Secretary), Dr. Collins Tay (National RSA Treasurer), Mr. Isaac Kofi

Yankson (Scientific Secretary, CSIR-BRRI), Dr. Yaw Poku-Gyamfi (CSIR-BRRI), Daniel Asenso-

Gyambibi (CSIR-BRRI) and one other person from CSIR-FORIG).

27

Rev. Dr. Hans Adu Dapaah (Director, CSRI-CRI), saying a prayer for Otumfoכ before delegation’s departure

11.0 SPECIAL VISITS TO THE INSTITUTE

11.1 Council Chairman

The Council Chairman, Prof. E. H. Amonoo-Neizer, paid a familiarization visit to the Institute

on Friday, March 26, 2010. The Chairman was accompanied by Mr. Edward Decker, a Senior

Scientific Secretary at the office of the Director-General. He interacted with the IMC and the

Director made a presentation on the profile of the Institute. There was brief discussion on

the problems facing the Institute and the way forward.

A group photograph with BRRI Internal Management Committee

11.2 Parliamentary Select Committee

A twelve-member Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and

Technology and their staff visited CSIR-BRRI on Saturday, May 10, 2010 to acquaint itself

with Pozzolana Cement production. In a brief welcome address on behalf of the Director,

28

Mr. Francis Kwaku Afukaar, the Deputy Director of CSIR-BRRI, thanked the Select Committee

for being the first of its kind to visit the Institute. In a power point presentation, he talked

impressively on the Institute’s research journey, including a brief profile on the Institute.

Mr. Raymond Tawiah, Chairman of the Select Committee commended the Institute for its

useful and ground-breaking research and hoped the breakthrough would help Ghana very

greatly.

In a healthy interaction between the Select Committee and BRRI, in the form of questions

and answers, the Committee pledged to act on BRRI’s behalf to overcome the potential

threat of the multinational cement producers in Ghana that could endanger the production

and marketing of Pozzolana Cement. The Select Committee also assured the Institute of

Government support to enhance its construction products in the built environment. The

Select Committee was conducted round the Pozzolana plant to see how the Pozzolana

Cement is produced. Being excited by what he had witnessed, the Chairman of the

Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing, Hon. David Asuming, promised to

follow up with a second visit with the Select Committee that he heads.

The visitors at the Pozzolana factory

11.3 Acting Commercial Director

The Acting Commercial Director, Dr. Pearl Adu-Amankwaa, and her team from CSIR Head

Office paid working visit to the Institute on Monday, April 26, 2010. The Institute’s

Marketing Plan for 2010, among others, was discussed.

11.4 National Road Safety Commission

As part of the mid-year review meeting of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) at

Noda Hotel, Kumasi, participants from across the country paid a working visit to the

National Accident Data Centre (NADC) on Friday August 6, 2010 to familiarise themselves

with how data is processed in churning out road crash statistics. Thirty seven people visited

the centre.

They were seated in the Conference Room where, the Deputy Director and Chief Research

Scientist, Mr. F. K. Afukaar initially welcomed and briefed them about the mandate and

operations of CSIR-BRRI. At the NADC, he took the visitors through the data collection,

coding, analysis and report writing processes. Mr. Afukaar however expressed frustrations

29

faced by the CSIR-BRRI Staff at some Police Stations during the countrywide data collection.

He cited a case in point where at a Police Station in Ashaiman, the staff had to spend almost

a whole day, waiting for “order from above” to be given the information until one Station at

Tema informed them that the CSIR-BRRI Staff spent less than one hour at their end before

the data were released.

He also ceased the opportunity to introduce the visitors to Pozzolana cement. They were

impressed about what they had witnessed at the Institute and commended the Directorate

and Staff for their contribution to Nation Building.

A group photograph of NRSC and BRRI Staff

12.0 HUMAN RESOURCE

12.1 New Recruitment

Mr. Isaac Kofi Yankson was appointed as the Scientific Secretary with effect from 9th

February, 2010.

12.2 Study Leave

The Training and Education Committee recommended to the Director for his

approval of the following officers to be permitted to proceed on study leave for the

2010-2011 academic year:

i) Mrs. Florence Fleischer Djoleto - PhD

ii) Kwabena Appiah Boakye - MSc (Environmental Resource Management)

iii) Eric Aben - BSc (Planning)

12.3 Retirement

Name Designation Field of Specialisation

Mr. Kofi Obeng Principal Research Scientist / Deputy Director Analytical Chemistry

Mr. E.B.E. Ghartey Principal Research Scientist Engineering Geology

Dr. Jonas Kofi Boadi Senior Research Scientist Materials Sci. & Ceramics

Mr. David Morgan Assistant Librarian Librarianship

Mr. K. Nyarko Marfo Chief Technical Officer Technician

Mr. Isaac Mosi Chief Technical Officer Techn. & Data Processing

Mr. Abdul Salami Supervisor Gd. I Laboratory Duties

Mr. Emmanuel Mensah Works Superintendent Steel bending

30

Mr. Issifu Awuni Supervisor Grade I Library Duties

Mr. Sampson K. Ababio Foreman Mechanic

Mr. Boateng Augustine Foreman Lime Production

Mr. Amadu Osumanu Security Assist. Gd. I Security

10.4 Resumption of Duty

Mr. Yaw Poku-Gyamfi, Research Scientist (Geomatic Engineering), resumed official

duties in February 2010, after successfully completing a four-year PhD programme in

Satellite Geodesy at the Federal Armed Forces University, Munich, Germany.

10.5 Promotions

The following Officers were upgraded as follows:

Name Previous Designation Current Designation Effective Date

Mr. Francis K. Afukaar Principal Research Scientist Chief Research Scientist 01/07/07

Mr. Kingsley Joseph

Mensah

Assistant Scientific

Information Officer

Scientific Information Officer 01/02/07

Mr. Frederick Wireko

Manu

Assistant Research Scientist Research Scientist 01/07/07

Mrs. Phyllis Nketia Assistant Administrative

Officer

Administrative Officer (MIS) 01/02/09

10.6 Staff Transfer

The following were transferred from the Commercialisation and Information Division as

indicated below:

Name of Staff Transferred To

1 Miss Georgina Boateng Structures, Design and Planning Division

2 Miss Charity Amankwaah Administration Division

3 Miss Josephine T. Adombilla Administration Division

10.7 Death

Name of Staff Designation Field of Specialisation

Ayizugu James Senior Security Assistant Security

31

3.0 PUBLICATIONS

3.1 Journal

1. Yankson, I.K., Browne, E.N.L., Tagbor, H., Donkor, P., Quansah, R., Asare, G.E., Mock,

C. and Ebel B. (2010). Reporting on Road Traffic Injury: Content Analysis of Injuries

and Prevention Opportunities in Ghanaian Newspapers. Injury Prevention.

doi:10.1136/ip.2009.024174

2. Solomon-Ayeh, B.E., King, R.S. and Decardi-Nelson, I. (2010). Operational and

Locational Characteristics of Street Vending In Kumasi Metropolis (Ghana). Journal of

Applied Science and Technology (JAST). Vol. 15, Nos. 1 & 2, 2010, 145 – 152

3. Adofo, K., Donkor, P., Boateng, K.A., Afukaar, F.K. and Mock, C. (2010). Sustainable

Improvements in Injury Surveillance in Ghana. International Journal of Injury Control

and Safety Promotion. 17:2, 79-85.

4. Damsere-Derry, J., Ebel, B., Mock, C., Afukaar, F., and Donkor, P. (2010). Pedestrians’

Injury Patterns in Ghana. Accident Analysis & Prevention. Vol. 42, (4) 1080-1088.

5. Afukaar, F.K., Damsere-Derry, J. and Ackaah, W. (2010). Observed Seat Belt Use in

Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community,

Vol. 38, No.4.

6. Tagbor, T.A. and Twumasi, S.K. (2010). Termite Controlling Activities of some Local

Plant Materials. TWOWS Africa International Journal of Science and Technology, 1(1):8-

13

7. Ackaah, W. and Afukaar, F.K. (2010). Prevalence of Helmet Use Among Motorcycle

Users in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana: An Observational Study, 11:5, 522-525

8. Osei-Tutu, E., Badu, E. and Owusu-Manu, D. (2010). Exploring Corruption Practices in

Public Procurement of Infrastructure Projects in Ghana. International Journal of

Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 3 (2) 236-256.

9. Osei-Tutu, E. (2010). Building Construction Project Information: sources, Utilisation and

Coordination. Journal of Polytechnics in Ghana, Vol. 4 (1) 133-157.

10. Osei-Tutu, E., Adinyira, E. and Asamoah, R. (2010). Promoting Partnership with

Traditional Authorities Project: A Fitting Model for Community Infrastructure Project

Delivery in Ghana. Proceedings: 1st

Postgraduate Research Conference on the Built

Environment, FABT-KNUST; 189-205

32

11. Damsere-Derry, J., Ebel, B.E., Mock, C., Afukaar, F.K. and Donkor, P. (2010). Risk

factors of pedestrians' Injuries in Ghana. Injury Prevention. BMJ: Vol. 16. Supplement

No.1 pp 10.

12. Afukaar, F. and Damsere-Derry, J. (2010). Evaluation of Speed Humps on Pedestrian

Injuries in Ghana. Injury Prevention. BMJ: Vol. 16. Supplement No.1 ppA205-206.

13. Bawa, K.Sarpong, H.Afake (2010). An Assessment of Skid Resistance and

Macrotexture of Asphalt Road Surfacing in Ghana. Journal of Building and Road

Research Vol. 12 No. 1, 3 – 12.

14. Solomon-Ayeh, B.E (2010). Housing Development in a Peri-urban Settlement in

Ghana: A Case Study in Kumasi. Journal of Building and Road Research Institute Vol.

12 No. 1, 13 – 22.

15. Owusu, J. (2010). Urban Traffic Speed Mapping in Ghana: The Use of GPS/GIS.

Journal of Building and Road Research Vol. 12 No. 1, 35 – 44.

16. Tagbor, T. A. and Osei-Frimpong, A. (2010). Extent of Termite Infestation in

Anwomaso – Kumasi. Journal of Building and Road Research Vol. 12 No. 1, 45 – 49.

17. Solomon-Ayeh, B. E (2010). Contest and Conflict in Urban Public Space: A Critical

Review of the Literature on Street Trading in the Urban Informal Sector. Journal of

Building and Road Research Vol. 12 No. 1, 50 – 63.

18. Asamoah, R. O. (2010). Assessing the Delivery Performance of Small-scale

Contractors in Ghana: Case Study of Ghana Poverty Reduction and the Social

Investment Fund Projects. Journal of Building and Road Research Vol. 12 No. 1, 64 –

72.

19. Mensah, Joe K. and Bekoe, S. (2010). Journal Publishing in Ghana: Review of the

State and Patronage. Journal of Building and Road Research Vol. 12 No. 1, 73 – 79.

3.2 Technical Reports

Baiden-Amissah, P.D. (2010). Rainwater Harvesting Tank for CSIR-Water Research

Institute, Headquarters, Accra. Construction Evaluation Report.

Owusu-Nyako, S. (2010). Underground Water Tank for Ghana Meteorological

Agency, Accra. Design Report.

Afukaar, F.K. (2010). Technical Appraisal of on-going Construction of Cocobod

Warehouse at Kejebril, Takoradi. Inception Report.

33

Ackaah, W. (2010). Financial Proposal on Consultancy Service for a Study to

Determine the Magnitude of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and its Impact

on Road Safety in Ghana.

Larbi, J. (2010). Provision of Alternative Access and Rehabilitation of Internal Roads

at the CSIR Head Office. Technical Report.

Shaibu, B. (2010). Reconstruction of Main Access Road to the 100,000-tonne

Warehouse Complex at Kejebril, Takoradi.

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Task Forces in Revenue Collection: A Case

Study of the Rent Task Force of the Internal Revenue Service in Greater Accra

Region. June, 2010.

Solomon-Ayeh, B. Decardy-Nelson, I. and Opoku, A.E. (2010). Urban Planning and

Management in Ghanaian Cities.

Decardy-Nelson, I. and Solomon-Ayeh, B. (2010). Challenges to the Provision of

Affordable Housing in Ghana.

Enhancing the Reactivity of Clay Pozzolana through Mechanical Activation. May,

2010

Efficient Use of Timber for Framework on Construction Sites: Case Study of

Construction Project Sites in Tertiary Campuses in the Kumasi Metropolis.

3.3 Conference Papers

• Ackaah, W. (2010). Road Traffic Fatalities among Children in Ghana. 10th

Safety 2010

World Conference, 21-24 September, 2010. London, UK.

• Debrah, E.K. (2010). Low-Cost Rural Road Surfacing: The Use of Burnt Clay Bricks. IRF /

gTKP/ CHTS 2nd

International Convention on Rural Roads, 26-29 October, 2010. Jinan,

Shandong Province, China.

• Damsere-Derry, J., Ebel, B.E., Mock, C., Afukaar, F.K. and Donkor, P. (2010). Risk

Factors of Pedestrians' Injuries in Ghana. 10th

Safety 2010 World Conference, 21-24

September, 2010. London, UK.

• Poku-Gyamfi, Y. (2010). The Geodetic Reference Network of Ghana. United African

Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) Experts Group Meeting. 9-11 February, 2010. Ile-

Ife, Nigeria.

34

• Afukaar, FK and Damsere-Derry, J. (2010). Evaluation of Speed Humps on Pedestrian

Injuries in Ghana. 10th Safety 2010 World Conference, 21-24 September, 2010.

London, UK.

• Adjei-Danquah, J. (2010). Production of Quality Affordable Housing for the Low

Income Urban Dweller. 2nd

Phase of Shelter Design and Development Advanced

International Training Programme, 15-16 February, 2010. Manilla, Philippines.

• Afukaar, F.K. (2010). Road traffic Injuries in Ghana: Challenges and Measures for

Improvement. International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety

(ICADTS), 2010. 20-26 August, 2010. Norway.

• Poku-Gyamfi, Y. (2010). The Corridor Correction Concept. United African Geodetic

Reference Frame (AFREF) Experts Group Meeting. 9-11 February, 2010. Ile-Ife,

Nigeria.

CSIR-BRRI CREDIT UNION OFFICE INAUGURATED

Side view (left) and front view (right) of the CSIR-BRRI Credit Union Building

35

STAFF LIST FOR SENIOR MEMBERS

STRUCTURES Mrs. B.E Solomon-

Ayeh

Senior Research

Scientist

Physical

Planning

M.A(Popul. Studies); BSc.(Hons) Planning;

MGIP

Mr. K. A. Solomon -

Ayeh

Senior Research

Scientist Structures MSc. (Structural Eng.); BSc. (Civil Eng.)

Mr. Yaw Poku

Gyamfi Research Scientist

Geodetic

Surveying

M.Phil (Geod. Eng.); PGD (Surv. &

Mapping); BSc.(Physics); BSc.(Geod. Eng.)

Mr. Prince Abrokwa

Ofori Research Scientist Architecture PGD (Architecture); BSc. (Design); GIA;

Mr. William Keteku -

Atiemo Research Scientist Architecture

PGD (Architecture); BSc. (Design); GIA;

MSc. (Environmental Resources Mgt.)

Mr. Daniel Asenso -

Gyambibi Research Scientist

Geodetic

Surveying

M. Phil. (Geodetic Engineering);

BSc. (Geodetic Engineering);

Mr. John Solomon

Ankrah Research Scientist

Structural

Engineering

MSc. (Civil Engineering);

BSc.(Civil Engineering)

Ms. Florence

Fleischer- Djoleto Research Scientist

Architectural

Design

PGD (Architecture);

BSc. (Design); GIA

Mr. Yeboah Francis Research Scientist

Geomatic

Engineering

BSc.(Geodetic Engineering);

Mphil. (Geomatic Eng)

Mr. Joseph Owusu Research Scientist

Geomatic

Engineering

BSc.(Geodetic Engineering);

Mphil. (Geomatic Eng.)

Mr. Frederick Wireko

- Manu Research Scientist Architecture

PGD (Architecture); BSc. (Design);

MSc. (Earth Architecture)

Joseph Agyei

Danquah Research Scientist Architecture PGD (Arch); BSc. (Arch.)

Osman Osei

Assistant Research

Scientist

Structural

Engineering BSc. (Hons) Civil Engineering

Decardi - Nelson

Isaac Research Scientist

Development

Planner MSc. (DEEP); BSc. (Planning)

CID

Mr. J. B. Ofiri

Atuahene

Marketing

Officer Marketing

MBA (Marketing); BSc.(Hons) Physics; Dip.

Marketing; MCIMG

Nana Kwame

Nsiah Achampong

Scientific

Information

Officer

Graphic

Design

MA (Art Education);

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Mr. Kingsley Joe-

Mensah

Scientific

Information

Officer

Publishing

Administration

MA (Art Education); BA (Hons) Pub. Stud.; Dip

(Journalism) Cert (Public Relations); Teacher’s

Cert A

36

GEOTECH

Mr. Seth Owusu

Nyako

Research

Scientist Geo – Physics

Msc. (Physics); PGD (Geo-Physics); BSc.

(Physics)

Dr. Charles F. K.

Akayuli

Research

Scientist

Geological

Engineering

PhD (Materials & Struc. Eng.);

MSc.(Min Eng.); PGD (Min. Eng.) and

BSc (Min. Eng)

Bernard Ofosu

Research

Scientist

Geological

Engineering

MSc. (Geographical Info. Systems with

Remote Sensing); Dip.(Geological Eng);

Mr. K Osei Opuni

Assistant

Research

Scientist

Geotechnical

Engineer BSc. (Civil Engineering);

MATERIALS

Mr. Augustine

Osei - Frimpong Research Scientist Chemistry

M.Phil (Chem.);

BSc (Chem.) Dip. Ed.;

Mrs. Ama Trinity

Tagbor Research Scientist Chemistry

M.Phil (Environ. Chemistry);

BSc. Hons (Chemistry)

Mr. James Sarfo

Ansah Research Scientist

Chemical

Engineering

BSc. (Chem. Engineering);

MSc. (Mat. Eng.)

Mr. Mark

Bediako Research Scientist

Chemical

Engineering

BSc. (Chemical Engineering);

MSc. (Mat. Eng.)

CONSTRUCTION

Mr. Ernest Osei -Tutu

Senior

Research

Scientist

Quantity

Surveying

MSc. (Constr. Mgt.); PGD (Housing Plan.

Bldg); BSc. (Building Tech.)

Mr. K. Owusu -

Tawiah

Research

Scientist

Quantity

Surveying

MSc. (Const. Mgt.); BSc. (Building Tech.);

Dip. (Civil Eng.)

Mr. P. D. Baiden

Amissah

Research

Scientist

Quantity

Surveying

MSc. (Construction Mgt.);

BSc. (Building Technology)

Mr. Richard Williams

Quaynor

Research

Scientist Structural Designs MSc. Civil Engineering (Structures)

Nana K. Osei-Wusu

Akyempim

Research

Scientist

Building

Technology

MSc.(Constr. Mgt.);

BSc. (Building Technology)

Mr. Oduro Asamoah

Richard

Research

Scientist

Quantity

Surveying

BSc. (Building Technology);

MSc. (Const. Mgt.)

Mr. Eric Opoku

Amankwah

Assistant

Research

Scientist

Construction

Engineering BSc. (Civil Eng.) Dip. (Civil Eng.)

Charles Dela Adobor

Assistant

Research

Scientist Quantity Surveyor BSc. (Building Tech.)

Kingsley Afre Nduro

Assistant

Research

Scientist Quantity Surveyor BSc. (Building Tech.)

37

TRAFFIC

Mr. Francis K.

Afukaar

Prin. Res. Scientist /

Head

Traffic &

Transportation

MSc. (Transportation Engineering);

Bsc. (Civil Eng.)

Mr. William

Agyemang Research Scientist

Traffic

Engineering

MSc. (Civil Eng.);

BSc. (Civil Engineering)

Mr. Shaibu Bawa Research Scientist

Transportation

Engineering MSc. (Civil Engineering)

Mr. James

Damsere Dery

Assistant Research

Scientist

Transportation

Planning

MPH (Epidemiology);

BA (Geography and Sociology)

Mr. Edmund K.

Debrah Research Scientist

Transport &

Highway Eng. BSc. (Civil Engineering)

Mr. William

Ackaah Research Scientist

Transport &

Highway

Engineering

BSc. (Civil Engineering); Dip.(Road

Traffic Safety); GhIE

ADMINISTRATION

FINANCE DIVISION

Ing. Eugene

Atiemo

Prin. Research

Scientist/ Dir

Materials

Engineering

M.Phil (Chem. Eng.);

BSc. (Chem. Engineering)

Mr. H. D.

Adomako -

Mensah

Administrative

Officer

Corporate

Affairs / Gen.

Admin.

MDM; BA (Soc. Sci);

Dip. (Pers. Mgt. & Ind. Rel.)

Mrs. Phyllis

Nketia

Admin. Officer

(MIS)

Mgt.

Information

Systems

MBA (Logistics and Supply Chain Management);

BSc. Computer Science

Mr. Isaac K.

Yankson

Research Scientist Road Safety;

Health Educ.

MPH (Pop. & Rep. Health); BSc. (Hons) Zoo/Bot;

Dip. (Ed.); Dip. (Pjt. Mgt.); Cert (Human Subjects

Res. Ethics).

Mr. Mohammed

Iddsisu Issah

Asst. R. Scientist Estate Mgt. BSc. ( Land Economy)

Mohammed Baba

Braimah

Research

Scientist Accountant Executive MBA; BCom; Dip. (Ed)

Yaw Pepra Boateng

Assistant

Research

Scientist

Assistant

Accountant BBA (Accounting)