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Abstract
In Ghana, the role of brick production in the construction industry is significant, yet it remains somewhat overlooked. A survey revealed that manual brick production factories are relatively unknown in the country, despite their substantial contributions to the brick manufacturing sector. Furthermore, burnt bricks as a building material have limited visibility in Ghana, with minimal presence in advertising, such as billboards or major media campaigns within the local community. To address this, this study offers a comprehensive profile of Akwansosem Bricks Company in Ghana's ceramic industry. It delves into the various aspects of brick production, including raw material selection, processing, molding, drying, firing, quality control procedures, and marketing strategies used to target specific markets. The study utilized interviews and observations as data collection methods and selected the company's owner as the study's primary respondent using purposive sampling. It was revealed that the company has adopted specific marketing strategies, including a unique selling proposition (USP), established a strong brand identity, and engaged in networking and participation in industry events to ensure its sustainability. The study also identified challenges faced by the company, such as high firewood fuel costs for firing, difficulties in sourcing suitable clay during rainy seasons, delayed customer payments due to economic conditions, and environmental concerns related to energy consumption and emissions. Nonetheless, the company has plans to supply burnt bricks to various African nations. One of the recommendations is for the government to provide incentives to support manual brick producers in Ghana. Brick factories could also explore modern technology and innovations, and collaboration and information sharing among brick factories through workshops to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in brick production should be encouraged.
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References
- Aniyikaiye, T. E., Edokpayi, J. N., Odiyo, J. O. and Piketh, S. J. (2021). Traditional Brick Making, Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts: A Case Study of Vhembe District, South Africa. Sustainability, 13, 10659. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910659.
- Asante-Kyei, K. and Addae, A. (2016). The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Clay Harvesting at Abonko in the Mfantsiman West District of Central Region, Ghana. American Scientific Research Journal of Engineering, Technology and Sciences. 18 (1), pp 120-132.
- Cermalab, C. C. (2014). Survey of the Status of the Informal Brick-Making Sector Eastern Cape, South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa. Pp 1-83.
- Cohen, L., Manion, L., and Morrison, K. (2018). Research Methods in Education (8th edition). London. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
- Danquah, J. A., Abrokwah, P. O., Twumasi, A and Ankrah, J. S. (2015). Appraisal of Burnt Bricks as a Building Material in Ghana. International Journal of Scientific Research and Education (IJSRE). Vol.3 Issue 1.
- Kazmi, S. M. S., Abass, S., Munir, M. J and Khitab, A. (2016). Exploratory Study on the Effect of Waste Rice Husk and Sugarcane Bagasse Ashes in Burnt Bricks. Journal of Building Engineering. Vol. 7. Pp 372-278.
- Maithel, S. and Heierli, U. (2008). Brick by Brick: The Herculean Task of Cleaning up the Asian Industry (1st edition). Osborn, P, Ed. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Natural Resource and Environmental Division. Berne, Switzerland. pp 1-132.
- Obeng, K. (2023). Manual Brick Production in Ghana. [Interviewer; Kofi Asante-Kyei; Interviewee: Kwabena Obeng, Owner of Akwansosem Bricks Company] [Interview Date: 02/02/23]
- Tamakloe, W, (2012). Initiate Research to Promote the Use of Local Materials in Buildings. Retrieved from: https//:www.newtimes.com.gh/story/initiate-research-to-promote-use-of-local- materials-in-building. [Accessed Date: 28/08/23]
- Salkind, N. J. (2008). Exploring Research. (6th edition). New Jersey: USA. Prentice Hall Inc.
- Twala, N. S. (2008). Overview of South Africa’s Clay Brick Industry. Directorate: Mineral Economics; Report R73/2008; Mineral Resources. Republic of South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa.
- Sammut-Bonnici, J and McGee, J. (2015). Case Study. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publications/257847801 [Accessed Date: 31/08/2023]
- Kanabkaew, T., and Buasing, K. (2015). Assessment of Air Pollution Concentrations from Kilns using an Atmospheric Dispersion Model. Ecol, Environ. 198, pp 27-37.
- Dalkilic, N and Nabikoglu, A. (2017). Traditional Manufacturing of Clay Brick used in the Historical Buildings of Diyarbakir (Turkey). Front Archit. Res.6, 346-359.
- Weyant, C., Kumar, S., Maithel, S., Thompson, R., Baum, E., Floes, E., and Bond, T. (2016). Brick Kiln Measurement Guidelines: Emissions and Energy Performance. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Civil and Environmental Engineering and Greentech Knowledge. Champaign IL. The USA. Solutions Pvt. Ltd
References
Aniyikaiye, T. E., Edokpayi, J. N., Odiyo, J. O. and Piketh, S. J. (2021). Traditional Brick Making, Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts: A Case Study of Vhembe District, South Africa. Sustainability, 13, 10659. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910659.
Asante-Kyei, K. and Addae, A. (2016). The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Clay Harvesting at Abonko in the Mfantsiman West District of Central Region, Ghana. American Scientific Research Journal of Engineering, Technology and Sciences. 18 (1), pp 120-132.
Cermalab, C. C. (2014). Survey of the Status of the Informal Brick-Making Sector Eastern Cape, South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa. Pp 1-83.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., and Morrison, K. (2018). Research Methods in Education (8th edition). London. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
Danquah, J. A., Abrokwah, P. O., Twumasi, A and Ankrah, J. S. (2015). Appraisal of Burnt Bricks as a Building Material in Ghana. International Journal of Scientific Research and Education (IJSRE). Vol.3 Issue 1.
Kazmi, S. M. S., Abass, S., Munir, M. J and Khitab, A. (2016). Exploratory Study on the Effect of Waste Rice Husk and Sugarcane Bagasse Ashes in Burnt Bricks. Journal of Building Engineering. Vol. 7. Pp 372-278.
Maithel, S. and Heierli, U. (2008). Brick by Brick: The Herculean Task of Cleaning up the Asian Industry (1st edition). Osborn, P, Ed. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Natural Resource and Environmental Division. Berne, Switzerland. pp 1-132.
Obeng, K. (2023). Manual Brick Production in Ghana. [Interviewer; Kofi Asante-Kyei; Interviewee: Kwabena Obeng, Owner of Akwansosem Bricks Company] [Interview Date: 02/02/23]
Tamakloe, W, (2012). Initiate Research to Promote the Use of Local Materials in Buildings. Retrieved from: https//:www.newtimes.com.gh/story/initiate-research-to-promote-use-of-local- materials-in-building. [Accessed Date: 28/08/23]
Salkind, N. J. (2008). Exploring Research. (6th edition). New Jersey: USA. Prentice Hall Inc.
Twala, N. S. (2008). Overview of South Africa’s Clay Brick Industry. Directorate: Mineral Economics; Report R73/2008; Mineral Resources. Republic of South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa.
Sammut-Bonnici, J and McGee, J. (2015). Case Study. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publications/257847801 [Accessed Date: 31/08/2023]
Kanabkaew, T., and Buasing, K. (2015). Assessment of Air Pollution Concentrations from Kilns using an Atmospheric Dispersion Model. Ecol, Environ. 198, pp 27-37.
Dalkilic, N and Nabikoglu, A. (2017). Traditional Manufacturing of Clay Brick used in the Historical Buildings of Diyarbakir (Turkey). Front Archit. Res.6, 346-359.
Weyant, C., Kumar, S., Maithel, S., Thompson, R., Baum, E., Floes, E., and Bond, T. (2016). Brick Kiln Measurement Guidelines: Emissions and Energy Performance. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Civil and Environmental Engineering and Greentech Knowledge. Champaign IL. The USA. Solutions Pvt. Ltd