Ebenezer Kofi Howard

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Professor (Full) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

In recent years, fabric waste has become an important sustainability issue that raises concerns and attracts attention from stakeholders in the fashion industries and the media. Over the past 15 years, the production and consumption of clothing have increased substantially, driven by the rise of demand for fashionable style and the proliferation of...

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the ability of Accra Technical University fashion design graduates to assess the quality of garment production and its impact on environmental sustainability. Methodology/Design: A case study approach was employed, using fashion design graduates from the Accra Technical University Fashion Department, who complet...

Controlling migration, especially the irregular type, has been an issue of global concern and one of the contending issues in academic discourse today. The study sought to create a reflection of human migration in the national developmental agenda through textile art. As a qualitative study, the Practice-based research design was adopted. Also, con...

Tom Kelley’s design framework is a popular and versatile design thinking model employed by various industries in solving major design problems and challenges. The Ghanaian weaving industry as one of the creative industries is believed to be facing challenges with innovation and sustainability in modern business. This hypothesis triggered the need t...

Purpose Safety-related issues are prominent in dyeing workplaces and studios that result in accidents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the compliance towards health safety practices by students at the dyeing studios in selected universities in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A structured online questionnaire was developed and used t...

The art of screen printing largely depends on images captured from both natural and artificial sources. Obviously, with the upsurge of technology in the 21st century, images are easily captured with different kinds of cameras. Notwithstanding, creativity is propelled by a shift from normalcy from the artistic point of view. Innovative approaches to...

The struggle for originality by craftsmen has subsequently resulted in the diversity of patterns, designs, and techniques on a loom in arriving at various traditional hand-woven products. These numerous techniques are principally aligned with the loom indicating the sole avenue for the creation of these patterns. This project sought to adapt and pr...

The art of screen printing largely depends on images captured from both natural and artificial sources. Obviously, with the upsurge of technology in the 21st century, images are easily captured with different kinds of cameras. Notwithstanding, creativity is propelled by a shift from normalcy from the artistic point of view. Innovative approaches to...

In Technical Universities in Ghana, the Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes are well‐established higher education programmes for the provision of middle‐level manpower needs of the Country. The programmes are considered industry‐related, offering students the knowledge and skills required for effective performance at work. However, there is ve...

Adobe Photoshop has been one of the software used for textile surface designs recently, especially by textile design students. With its numerous design advantages, textile design students are yet to leverage Adobe Photoshop’s design process and design repeat deductions’ practical feasibilities in hand screen printing. Miscalculations of design repe...

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of Ghanaian weaving art tradition to humanity from socio-cultural and economic points of view. This study sought to answer questions such as “What is the interest of researchers regarding Ghanaian textile weaving art tradition?”, “To what extent has weaving art tradition projected the G...

Purpose: This study explored the challenges visually impaired (VI) students face concerning fashion skill acquisition. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research design was based on qualitative. The combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques was chosen to ensure a diverse participant pool, capturing a range of perspectives on what vis...

Purpose: This research investigates TexStyle Ghana Limited’s printed fabric design concepts over three decades, focusing on cultural heritage and consumer preferences, aiming to understand trends and patterns. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research employs qualitative data analysis as the primary approach to investigate design concepts. The res...

Purpose: This study aims to dissect the complex dynamics between globalisation, operational flexibility, and enterprise performance in Ghana's garment manufacturing sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a quantitative research design, the study analyses survey data collected from members of the Ghana National Dressmakers and Tailors Associ...

bstract Design thinking recently has become the model employed in solving difficulties and improving products and services in design companies. It is known to be user-centric or human-centric which explains how empathetic it is in its design approach. However, it has been observed that even though design thinking is practiced by Ghanaian design ind...

An internship programme is a great way to connect what is learnt in class with actual work experience. Existing research has underscored the positive contribution of internship to the educational process and career outcomes among students. The internship programme for students of Faculty of Art, KNUST is a requirement or considered as a compulsory...

Purpose: The paper aim to analyze and compare the design concepts in printed fabrics between the pre- and post-2000 periods in Ghana. By examining the changes in design trends, techniques, and motifs, the study also aims to identify the factors that have influenced the evolution of printed fabric designs over time. Methods: This research adopts a c...

In Ghana’s Polytechnics/Technical Universities, the Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes are ran to provide the country with its middle-skilled manpower base in science, engineering, technology, commerce and art for socio-economic development. However, the HND Industrial Art Programme of Tamale Technical University begun in 2008/2009 academic y...

This study investigated on promotion and preservation of indigenous textiles and culture in Ghana using qualitative approach. Tour guides, curators, historians and artisans were selected as accessible population as they possessed knowledge of the cultural significance, historical context and traditional methods of textile preservation. The study us...

Purpose The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the effects of COVID-19 on the conventional textile production subsector. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus in 2019 has subsequently caused many problems, such as unemployment, business closures, economic instability and high volatility in the global capital markets amongst ot...

Purpose: The paper aims to analyze and compare the design concepts in printed fabrics between the pre-and post-2000 periods in Ghana. By examining the changes in design trends, techniques, and motifs, the study also aims to identify the factors that have influenced the evolution of printed fabric designs over time. Methods: This research adopts a...

Textile industry is a significant contributor of wastewater, which contains pollutants including dye and other chemical substances. The release of thousands of tons of dye used in textile processing and finishing into natural streams and aquatic bodies present dire harm to the environment. In response to environmental concerns, a number of research...

Textile art is widely used by artists to communicate a message. This concept simply employs materials and techniques unconventionally to produce works of art that seem to gain the attention of viewers.The project exercised the concept where yarns of different textures were used in the production of works of art that falls in the ambits of textile a...

Indigenous textiles from Africa are iconic products that eulogies the culture and history of the people. These textiles, made of different techniques, are collected and exhibited in museums across the globe to promote and conserve the symbolism, craftsmanship, uniqueness, and identity of African tradition for sustainability. This chapter identifies...

Batik, tie-dye and woven structures are special fabrics that have significant numbers of interesting designs and patterns cherished by most consumers. Despite these, it is observed that producers have issues with their mode of production. Notably, the material and chemicals used, such as wax, sodium hydrosulphite and caustic soda for batik/tie-dye,...

Purpose This paper sought to assess sustainable practices employing the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) concept among Ghana's large-scale textile firms, with a focus on their production processes. This aims at ensuring adherence to sustainable practices, standards and certification and best global practices to improve their production to maximize returns....

The incorporation of transition metal oxides as intermediaries in noble-metal catalysts is a profound strategy used to promote catalytic activity of heterogenous catalysts. Hybrid metal nanoparticles on support can enable separate reaction paths to occur in close proximity at different metal sites to accelerate catalytic reaction. Herein, CuOx medi...

Antibacterial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) is one of the treatments developed in response to AMR during the past decade. Bioactive composites with photodynamic inactivation properties were engineered from bacterial cellulose and Icariin and successfully inclusion-complexed into beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with an abundance of carboxylic, hydroxyl,...

In the wake of unemployment and economic hardship in Ghana, the study sought to assess the financial, social and environmental performance of Small and Medium Textile Enterprises (SMTEs) as they are a major driver of employment generation and other opportunities in the textile sector in Ghana. The study is quantitative research. A multi-stage sampl...

A successfully encapsulated pigment requires dispersants, pigment and a dispersion medium to build a thin layer of polymer over individual pigment particles. The stability of encapsulated dispersion is aided by the absorption of stabilising molecules on the surface. The stabilising molecules function by steric hindrance or Coulomb-repulsion forces,...

Purpose: The study aims to provide domestic textiles firms with a clear direction to fully adopt and implement sustainability concepts and practices to build a competitive edge against their offshore counterparts.

Fundamentally, technology is the key to achieving a competitive advantage. Novel and advanced technologies and manufacturing systems have turned the attention of labour-intensive firms towards technological attractiveness. In the textile industry, advancements in technology and products are massive. The study sought to assess the extent to which ma...

Women play an active role in all activities even though they continue to struggle in the society. Artworks have been produced by artists to project the struggles of women in the community. This study highlights the studio-based practice by the practicing artist or the lead author supported by the co-authors to produce conceptual artworks for art in...

The practice of kayayie by young ladies in southern Ghana exposes them to varying difficulties and struggles just to make a living. To bring to the fore such challenges in textile art, the study employed mixed-media materials and techniques to produce art works that communicate their struggles. To achieve the study's focus, the studio-based practic...

Jewellery has been widely used for personal beautification or adornment for generations. In recent years, studies have shown the use of alternative materials for jewellery that promotes environmental sustainability. This study conducted by undergraduate students in an art studio context, therefore, aims at producing textile jewellery pieces that ar...

The study seeks to contribute to the royalty and unity of the Akuapem State through ideation and execution of textile regalia for Akuapem state paramountcy. The study is grounded on the Studio-Based research design employing the Universal Design Methodology taking inspiration from Akuapem state symbols and the chieftaincy structure with 'unity in p...

Tumu traditional area in the Sissala East Municipality of Upper West Region is home to numerous and varied animals and birds that serve as totems to their clans. Yet, the regalia of their paramountcy's skin has little or no reference to their totems and symbols. Therefore, this art studio-based study employed an ethnographic action research paradig...

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a system that detects warp breakage in manual looms using simple mechanisms combined with electronic circuitry. Design/methodology/approach This study used the universal design methodology model where results from observations and interviews aided in designing the appropriate blueprints for the mecha...

Narrow strip weaving has been an art and one of the traditional occupations in the northern part of Ghana, which has contributed significantly to the economic development and well-being of the people. Even though strip weaving is common in the North, Daboya and Yendi have unique weaving traditions with regards to the origin, types of yarns or mater...

Textile art possesses the ability to communicate with the viewer in as much as the viewer understands the visual images. It involves art made of textiles or about textiles by utilising techniques such as embroidery, patchwork, quilting, applique, tapestry, dyeing, and painting, among others. This study explores the use of conventional and non-conve...

A ”super” bioactive antibacterial hydrogel, Icariin-β-CD-inclusion complex/Bacterial cellulose and an equally capable counterpart Icariin-Bacterial cellulose (ICBC) were successfully produced with excellent antioxidant properties. The highly porous hydrogels demonstrated very high fluid/liquid absorption capability and were functionally active as F...

The study seeks to contribute to the royalty and unity of the Akuapem State through ideation and execution of textile regalia for Akuapem state paramountcy. The study is grounded on the Studio-Based research design employing the Universal Design Methodology taking inspiration from Akuapem state symbols and the chieftaincy structure with 'unity in p...

The study aimed at producing two textile installation projects inspired by the philosophical concepts and design characteristics of the cubism art movement to educate the Ghanaian populace on biodiversity conservation. This was in response to the call for multiple perspectives on the high biodiversity depletion in the country. The qualitative studi...

The concept of 3D styles and printing has remained a unique practice in the fashion industry to produce interesting garments. With the influential contribution of 3D printing to the fashion industry, an alternative technique like origami is commonly employed by fashion designers in producing 3D forms and shapes in garments. To further contribute to...

Metal product designers have continually employed textile construction techniques which are outside their respective practice to produce different artefacts for the wider market. In a different product application approach, the study seeks to employ crocheting as a textile construction technique to produce hollow metal wares suitable for decorative...

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the attitudes and practices of students and practitioners in the dyeing studio. Empirical evidence shows that synthetic dyes are the most commonly used dyestuff because of their colour fastness as compared with natural dyes. However, it is proven scientifically that synthetic dyes and their auxiliaries...

The study investigates the branding and packaging strategies employed by major textile factories in Ghana to maintain and attract customers, improve customer loyalty of their printed fabrics. The qualitative research approach was considered because of social and cultural phenomena of the study with interview, questionnaire and observation as the ma...

Ghana's once booming Textile industry has seen a downturn in recent times with multiplicity of adverse effects on the nation at large. Major research findings of the Ghana Textile Industry reveal poor operational and output performance with less than 4,000 workforce, average production output of 46 million yards per annum and foreign exchange and r...

The study examined the growing popularity of fashion accessories made of African prints in Ghana. It assessed the rippling effects of this phenomenon on the development of the Ghanaian fashion industry. The study employed quantitative research design using the descriptive survey method where data was obtained primarily through questionnaire and obs...

Odwira festival is celebrated for purification and re-unification of the State through re-affirmation of allegiance by the sub-chiefs to the paramount chief of Akuapem. Observable evidence shows remarkable uses of textile paraphernalia and regalia in the celebration of the festival. However, it has been realised that there is lack of in-depth knowl...

Odwira festival is celebrated for purification and re-unification of the State through re-affirmation of allegiance by the sub-chiefs to the paramount chief of Akuapem. Observable evidence shows remarkable uses of textile paraphernalia and regalia in the celebration of the festival. However, it has been realised that there is lack of in-depth knowl...

Inkjet inks are the most important component in inkjet printing. The formulation and chemistry of inks determine the printing quality as well as jetting characteristics. Digital printing technology has transformed textiles printing with significant success in terms of print speed, print head technology and color gamut. Nonetheless, ink penetration...

The evolution and development of various traditional artistic media over the past years have influenced the way artists have adapted methods and techniques to create artistic expressions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the argument on medium specificity, post medium art and integrated media art practices. The paper also explores...

The evolution and development of various traditional artistic media over the past years have influenced the way artists have adapted methods and techniques to create artistic expressions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the argument on medium specificity, post medium art and integrated media art practices. The paper also explores...

The study investigates the branding and packaging strategies employed by major textile factories in Ghana to maintain and attract customers, improve customer loyalty of their printed fabrics. The qualitative research approach was considered because of social and cultural phenomena of the study with interview, questionnaire and observation as the ma...

Studies have shown that a gap exists between the quality of graduates and the demands of industry. Consequently, training institutions and employers have accepted the need to bridge the gap in the form of attachments, internships, seminars, workshops and industrial visits. However, there are challenges that impede effective academia-industry collab...

Wax prints were the earliest textile prints exported to Ghana by the Europeans. These prints, commonly referred to as African prints, have distinguishing characteristics, with the earlier ones, known as classical prints, exhibiting symbolic patterns largely used by Ghanaians in the 19th and the 20th century. With the newer trends of fashion in the...

The focus of the study was to look into the phenomenon of collaboration between clothing and textiles institutions and the industry regarding curriculum development and student training from the perspectives of respondents. Again the study was to find out if efforts to establish collaboration between clothing and textile institutions and the indust...

Traditional weaving of smock weaves in Ghana has been the preserve of the North and an art skill handed from generation to generation. This art of weaving has gained recognition in some areas such as Daboya, Yendi, Tamale, Paga, Bawku, Wa and Bolgatanga with notable colour significance and naming characteristic features. This paper seeks to identif...

The study investigates the external challenges of the Ghana textile industry and makes feasible projections to maximize productivity for optimum returns towards invigoration of the industry. This is crucial as experiential studies have shown that the sub-sector struggles to survive the turbulent times mainly due to external forces. The study based...

Africa as a continent is well noted for its artistry and culture which form integral part of everyday lives of the people. Africans portray themselves with rich material culture and this is expressed in the fabrics they adorn themselves with. Notable among such fabrics are the types known as " African prints " which are actually not of African orig...

The study explores the aesthetic and philosophical significance of Ghanaian traditional symbols with special reference to Asante linguist staff symbols in creating surface textile designs to widen the scope of their application. It critically examines the names of the symbols, their intrinsic and extrinsic values as well as mythological perspective...

This study looks at the impact of the Ghana Movie and Music industry on the promotion of locally-made textiles and fashion. These entertainment industries have had a significant attention over the years. This attention integrates sociology, economics, and combines a number of influence including civic involvement and societal influence in various w...

It has been observed that most hospitality companies neglect the welfare of the human capital, resulting to high labour turnover in the industry. Globalization which is exposing the Ghanaian hospitality market to keen competition makes the issue of the human capital a force to reckon with. This study therefore seeks to unearth how generic function...

Throughout history, the clothing industry has gone through many developmental changes due to dynamism in fashion coupled with an unending variety of clothes. The international competitiveness of foreign industries has become a major concern to the Ghanaian government and to the business and labour communities because of low domestic export growth a...

African Prints are major raw materials for the Clothing Industry in Ghana. Garment manufacture requires the consideration of technical factors such as alignment of prints to the fabric grain line, standard fabric width, appropriate motif placement/arrangement and repeat pattern among others. As a qualitative enquiry, the study employs descriptive o...

Looking good generally is an area of great interest to many, especially the youth. Over the years the youth have tried to be fashionable and have exhibited clothing which is influenced to a large extent by foreign fashion in the wake of globalization. The extent of thisinfluence affects the youth and the local fashion industry positively and negati...

This paper examines the competency skills and challenges facing semiskilled garment producers within Cape Coast Polytechnic community and its environs. Based upon the findings, an action oriented outreach programme was designed which servesas an engine to guide and propel them in improving upon their knowledge and skills in design and construction...

One of the expectations of Graduates of Fashion and Textile Studies Education in the tertiary institutions in Ghana is to enter into gainful employment with the carrier and technical training they have acquired. Lecturers' effectiveness with regards to the teaching and learning processes in tertiary institutions offering this programme is very vita...

This art studio experimental study explored the suitability of woven cotton fabric as alternative material for creating pictorial designs for murals based on the batik, tie-and-dye, screen printing, appliqué and embroidery techniques in textiles. While painted and sculpted murals abound in Ghana, the study found textile murals a seemingly unknown a...

This paper investigates the globalization of the fashion industry and its effects on Ghanaian independent fashion designers and finds feasible strategies that can be employed for the improvement of the fashion business in Ghana. The research is based on qualitative research approach which employs observation and interview for data collection. The p...

Overview of the Ghana Textile Industry primarily shows a predominant cotton fabric manufacturing sector with absolute reliance on cotton as the major raw material for production. The Ghana Cotton Company Limited (GCCL) and other privately owned ginneries in the Northern Region have, in the past, been the major suppliers of lint cotton to the textil...