Problems and prospects of the manufacture and sale of clay products: (a look at the Tano Valley Clay Products)
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Date
1996-02-28
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Abstract
Clay production has flourished for centuries all over the world. In Ghana the art has been practiced in most areas where clay can be found. However, the origin of clay production in the country like other parts of the globe is not known. It is, however, believed that clay production was necessitated by man’s need. Throughout the ages man’s distinguishing characteristic has been that he is a maker and has always made things to meet his needs. The things he has made range from those which met his immediate needs such as food, shelter, clothing and so on. For instance, pots were made to meet the storage and cooking needs of man. Clay production has also been practiced to meet the religious and cultural demands of man.
Unfortunately clay production in the country has undergone little scientific changes in spite of its long history. There has been very little innovation and the industry largely remains rudimentary and untouched as compared to other parts of the world. Strangely, traditional clay production has persisted and enjoys increasing patronage and has made inroads into sophisticated modern markets despite the influx of industrial wares from industrialized countries. The reason for this phenomenum is that traditional clay industry service the low income groups and the increasing number of indigenous restaurants (Chop-bars) found all over the country.
Simplicity of form, low cost and easy availability of traditional pots compensates for its low quality and makes it a favorite for many homes. Throughout the country, traditional pottery or clay products production employs rudimentary practices and it involves:
a. Clay winning by digging with hand implements.
b. Conveyance by manual labour
c. Preparation by poinding
d. Molding by manual implements and
e. local oven firing.
Given that clay products contributes significantly to some household incomes in the Tanoso Township and the region as a whole make it an ideal case for a study.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Management, 1996