Comparative Analysis of NDC and NPP Manifestos

Many Ghanaians were excited with Nana Addo (NPP presidential candidate) at the IEA encounter when he said that he wants to process raw materials here in Ghana and was committed to transform Ghana into an industrialized nation.

President Mahama (NDC presidential candidate) made similar pronouncements at the IEA encounter recently which was very encouraging. Both NDC and NPP manifestos were diagnosed to unveil the detail plans of these two presidential candidates on industrialization to find out who has genuine commitment to transform Ghana into an industrialized state and how they intend to do it.

Page 9 of NDC manifesto under Job Creation Initiatives, outlines the establishment of an integrated petroleum industry based on bauxite; Construction of a petrol-chemical industry based on salt and natural gas; A fertilizer industry to give impetus to agro-development; A salt based chemical industry for caustic soda and also an integrated iron steel industry based on the iron ore deposits at Oppon Manso in the western region.

These promises satisfy the SMA criteria which I refer to as the basic criteria for political promises. These promises are therefore Specific, Measurable and Achievable (SMA).

According to page 10 of the manifesto, the establishment of a cheap gas-fired energy will facilitate the full revival of following; Volta Aluminum Company; Textile industries and ventures ; Ceramic, brick and tile manufacturing ; Glass factories ; and Steel mills.

These are specific industries which could transform Ghana into an industrialized nation.

NPP on the other hand recognized that 'industrialization is critical to solving our major socio-economic challenges of mass poverty', (p. 43 NPP manifesto). On page 43 Chapter 2, under Industrialization for Economic Growth and Development, it reveals the objective of NPP's industrialization policy, which is to promote increased competitiveness and industrial production'.

It further states that 'we will significantly expand the manufacturing sector, promote agro-based industrial development and increase the technological capacity in the manufacturing sector’.

These statements fail to address SMA which is the basic criteria for all political promises.NPP manifesto continue to mention key to a successful dramatic shift to industrialization without mentioning a single factory they will add to the existing ones or where these industries will be built.

The NDC manifesto also highlights all its achievements on industrialization in the last three and a half years as follows; The establishment of Shea butter processing plant at Buipe; Rehabilitation of Wahome steel factory; Establishment of cement factory at Buipe, Rehabilitation of shoe factory in Kumasi.

The achievement of these specific, measurable and achievable promises are what is needed in our body politics.

Windows 8 review

Microsoft has a lot riding on the latest incarnation of the globally dominant Windows software - with Windows 8 it must not only maintain its position, it must stave off the attacks from whole new categories of computing that are dominated by Google and Apple.

Windows 8 has now been around in public beta form for so long that it ought to be known and polished - unfortunately for Microsoft, it seems actually to be largely misunderstood and still, in little places, painfully imperfect.

So, many will be familiar with the idea of the software's new interface - a patchwork of 'live tiles' is the default new Start screen, replacing the Start menu; pinch to zoom in or out in a new function called 'semantic zoom'. That means items are tailored to look appropriate to the scale you're seeing them at, rather than just bigger or littler. And as that 'pinch to zoom' suggests, this is a new interface designed for tablets - and mobile phones - and which works with a really pleasing elegance on a touchscreen. Swipe the right of the screen to bring up that standard menu to search, share or adjust settings, called charms; the left cycles you through open applications and the bottom brings up contextual menus. Almost all of this is a joy to use.

That said, it is so different from what people have become accustomed to with Windows 7, Windows 8 is hard to compare. Is it an improvement? Definitely. Will people simply get cross? Possibly. Built in to Windows 8 is essentially all of Windows 7, hidden under a 'Desktop' tile. That means users can still run all the old software they're used to, from Adobe Photoshop to Apple iTunes. If you don't need all that, you can buy a tablet such as Microsoft's own Surface, which runs a cut down version of Windows 8 called Windows RT, but includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. What it lacks is a decent mail client, but Microsoft says one will be along soon.

Some critics have suggested that constantly flipping back and forwards between Windows 8's new interface and the more familiar one is a huge pain. In my extensive use of the software, I quickly found that it became a conspicuous compromise, but not an inconvenience. More importantly, however, I was aware that what few true tablet apps there were largely offered excellent functionality. The forthcoming version of Office, for instance, features proper adaptations to, say, PowerPoint, that make it a lot more intuitive. For now, moving between different styles of interface is simply a fact of life, made all the more painful that good tablet apps are so much better in Windows 8 than desktop hangovers.

Where it did get annoying, however, was when, for instance, the keyboard didn't always appear in touchscreen mode - it can always be summoned manually, but that's not the point - or when there's such a painful lack of search options in some apps and such an extensive ability in others. Microsoft's idea is that you don't need to worry so much about filing - as in Gmail - but it'll never work until all apps are equal. That day will probably come sooner than we suspect; Adobe's Photoshop offers an excellent version for Android tablets already. But it underlines that Microsoft has had to take a leap here. It offers a whole new computing paradigm, but forces you to also use the old one at the same time.

Nonetheless, Windows 8 should do well - it is an operating system rethought from the ground up, and integrates touch right into its very heart. Those live tiles are superb windows on the world behind them, allowing you to see your latest emails or your friends' latest posts to Facebook at a convenient glance. Swiping between applications feels sophisticated in a way that previously only Apple has managed to achieve.

If, however, you have an existing PC that doesn’t have a touchscreen, Windows 8 is more of an enticement to buy a new one than it is a reason to upgrade. And if you’re thinking of upgrading, the new Surface is a beautiful device but it’s one that lacks basic functions because it doesn’t run the full version of Windows. In many ways, it serves to underline how vital Intel is to Windows’ success, and the Surface with Intel inside may yet be the most compelling device available when it arrives in January. If you are going to buy a Windows 8 device now, I would recommend either a touchscreen ultrabook such as those by Asus with the Zenbook, or a convertible such as those by Dell, Sony or Lenovo which let you use it as both a tablet and a laptop.

Bathroom basics keeping moisture in check

Brad Elkins isn’t a professional builder and that’s why his story is interesting. He single-handedly gutted and rebuilt the two side-by-side bathrooms in his home, and his success proves something that more people need to know about.

As in many Canadian homes, the two bathrooms at Elkins’ place harbour hidden mould and mildew, or at least they used to. Even the stud frame wall between the two bathrooms was rotten, but that didn’t discourage him. After tearing out all the bad stuff, Elkins used the latest materials and technology to rebuild in a way that makes trouble in the future highly unlikely. And it all has to do with moisture control.

Bathrooms are unique because they’re small, steamy and wet. Trouble is, typical standards for bathroom construction don’t always protect against these realities.

In fact, typical Canadian bathroom construction methods routinely fall short of keeping water in check, though damage is often hidden for years. Changing living habits are the reason why. Forty years ago, Canadians took showers once or twice each week. Showers were also much shorter, to save money and energy. Nowadays, despite all our talk about conservation, we take much longer, hotter and more frequent showers than ever. Water resistant drywall isn’t actually waterproof, and this is why it’s not always up to 21st-century bathroom extravagances.

Avoiding moisture problems from the ground up is why Elkins used a structural foam product on wall studs instead of moisture-resistant drywall. It’s part of a three-part system that’ll keep the unseen structure dry and rot-free, no matter how often showers are taken.

Elkins began with -inch-thick waterproof foam boards on wall studs, instead of drywall. This specialized foam cuts much like drywall and fastens with stainless-steel washers and screws driven into wall and ceiling studs. The grid pattern printed on the face makes it easy to cut the material square and to steer level courses of tiles as they go up. Thicker versions of this stuff are even strong enough to create partition walls on their own, no studs required.

Waterproof sheet materials are one thing, but they won’t help in corners and joints. This is where a second waterproofing product is essential and it’s why Elkins used a waterproofing fabric. It’s designed to be fastened with the same kind of thinset mortar used to secure tiles and it’s surprisingly effective stuff.

In the same way that the best tub surrounds are waterproof before the tiles go on, the same standard applies to tiled floors. That’s because tiles aren’t always waterproof. And even when they are, grout never is. All this is why Elkins opted for a dimpled uncoupling membrane applied on the wooden subfloor before tiles went down. There are three reasons this is good idea.

Contrary to popular belief, ceramic and porcelain tiles don’t usually fail because the floor flexes. This can certainly cause trouble, but more often than not, tile installations fail because of something called differential expansion and contraction. Since tiles are made of different materials than the subfloor that supports them, lateral tensions can build up between them with changes in temperature and moisture content. Even the tiniest difference here results in huge lateral forces that work to pop tiles off their mooring and loosen grout.

Seven western exposure homesites released

Grey Oaks Realty Broker and Vice President Erika Kemp announced the release of seven western exposure homesites at the Villas of Traditions at Grey Oaks, a collection of single-family residences ranging from 2,642 to 4,476 square feet under air base priced from $690,000 to the mid-$800s. The newly released villa homesites have lot premiums ranging from $60,000 to $72,000.

Traditions at Grey Oaks is an enclave of exquisitely detailed villa and coach home residences. The Villas of Traditions collection has generated significant new construction sales activity at Grey Oaks with 12 villa sales in the past six and a half months.

The collection includes three floor plans. Each has three available elevations. Three move-in ready villas, including the Alegria 3 priced at $803,380, the Bregante 1 at $871,401 and the Bregante 2 at $841,919 are available for immediate purchase. Each of the three move-in ready residences includes assorted upgrades, a pool and an upgraded landscaping package. Fully-furnished models of each of the three villa floor plans are also available for viewing.

The two-story, Carillo villa model, with 4,476 square feet under, showcases the floor plan's formal living and dining rooms, four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a den, island kitchen, breakfast area, family room, an outdoor living area and a two-car garage plus a golf cart space. The upstairs includes a loft. Polished white marble floors with an accent pattern in a light, contrasting Bamboo marble are found throughout the model's living area. An inlay in the foyer floor contrasts honey, slate and chocolate patterns in a traditional design while a brushed Crema Marfil adds a casual feeling to the den. The Carillo model's kitchen cabinetry has a hand-painted gray strie Portobello hazelnut finish against granite countertops and a Calcutta white polished hexagon mosaic backsplash.

The Bregante floor plan has 3,319 square feet under air and features formal living and dining rooms, three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a den, island kitchen, family room, an outdoor living area, a two-car garage and golf cart storage. A linear beamed ceiling runs the length of the kitchen and family room and continues on the covered lanai. Flooring materials include marble in the living areas, finished hardwood in the den and designer carpeting in each bedroom. The master bath has marble floors and shower walls, a private water closet with a Kohler elongated toilet, a walk-in shower with a frameless shower enclosure and a soaking tub. Jenn-Air stainless steel appliances are featured in the kitchen.

The 2,642-square-foot under air Alegria floor plan offers formal living and dining rooms, two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a den, island kitchen, family room, outdoor living area and a two-car garage plus a golf cart garage. Twelve-foot ceilings and 20-inch porcelain tile flooring are featured in the model's main living areas. The den is finished with a wood floor while designer carpeting with a premium cushion is utilized in each bedroom. A gourmet Jenn-Air stainless steel appliance package, including a 30-inch gas cook top and a double convection oven, is featured in the kitchen. The living areas, kitchen and bedrooms are all trimmed with crown molding. The outdoor living area and heated pool feature a western exposure.

Grey Oaks Realty has also introduced new luxury coach home floor plans at Traditions. Seven buildings with a total of 28 new coach homes are planned.

The new first-floor coach home floor plan includes 2,557 square feet under air with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a den and a large master suite with a private covered terrace, walk-in closets, coffered ceilings and a detailed master bath.

The second-floor coach home floor plan features 3,170 square feet under air, a two-car garage with a dedicated golf cart parking area and five covered outdoor balconies. The plan includes three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a den, living room measuring 20 feet 5 inches by 32 feet, a formal dining room and a gourmet island kitchen. In addition to its private covered balcony, the master suite includes a sitting room, walk-in closets and a bath with a double vanity.

Features and finishes in both coach home residences will include granite countertops and a Builder's Select Jenn-Air appliance package in the kitchen and 20-inch porcelain tile in the main living areas. The master bath will feature 18-inch Crema Marfil marble flooring set in a straight pattern, a frameless chrome clear glass shower enclosure, a recessed niche or corner shelf in the shower, 6-by-6 inch tumbled marble on the shower floor set on a diagonal, Crema Marfil marble shower walls with an eye level Crema Marfil mosaic listello and a 12-inch Crema Marfil marble tile tub deck, tub skirt, and backsplash. The guest bedroom baths will be finished with porcelain tile and will include a frameless chrome clear glass shower enclosure. Interior trim details include 8-foot paneled solid core doors throughout the home, 9-inch paint-grade finger joint wood baseboards, four-inch paint grade finger joint wood casing with plinth blocks on all doors and painted crown molding in the living room, dining room and master bedroom.

Pre-construction purchases of the new coach home residences can be made now. Pricing for residences in the first new coach home building only have been set at $580,000 for the first-floor residences and $650,000 for the second-floor residences.

Traditions is a joint venture of Halstatt Partnership and CC Devco. At build-out, Traditions will include 60 coach homes and 62 single-family villas and is off of Airport-Pulling Road, north of Golden Gate Parkway.

Magnetic vinyl flooring tiles in the hospitality

Flooring solutions have to fulfil exacting criteria in the hospitality and retail sectors. As a key part of any interior design scheme, flooring has a big impact on the overall atmosphere. It can help a restaurant to create a convivial air, or enable a retailer to reflect the look of the brands it is selling.

In both sectors, it is important that flooring is slip-resistant and durable, as public areas will face a high volume of traffic. It is also vital that it is easy to clean: bars and restaurants often have to deal with spillages and must maintain strict levels of hygiene; and shops’ customers will usually have come in directly from the pavement, bringing in mud and moisture.

Businesses in both sectors may also require regular changes of décor. For example, a bar or restaurant might want to appear modern and ahead of the game, or alter its image to reflect a change in menu. A retailer may change its look to sell different brands or to adjust to a change in strategy. In any of these instances, flooring solutions that are easy to replace have clear benefits. Many options are available, including natural materials, such as stone or timber, ceramic tiles, carpet or vinyl.

A quick-drying metallised resin is applied to the subfloor, and then the tiles, which have a magnetised backing, are laid on top. This patented system is called IOBAC and has been developed by 3M, Karndean Designflooring and Interface. It won the innovation award at this year’s Ecobuild exhibition.

The force that fixes the tiles to the resin is paramagnetism. Although this is strong enough to fix the tiles securely, it is a very weak force and its main direction is downwards.

With a layer of vinyl or insulated carpet above it, the magnetic field dissipates a few millimetres above the floor. Once the tile has been removed, the magnetic field disappears completely. Therefore, the paramagnetic field serves only one purpose and will not interfere with other electrical instruments, such as heart pacemakers.

The principle is the same as for other uses of magnetism in retail environments: the scanners used to scan goods and take payment from your card, and the scanners used to ensure that goods are paid for as you enter and leave the store. Although these use electro-magnetism rather than paramagnetism, the important considerations are again the strength of the force and its direction.

New concrete floors should be cleaned and dried to remove any contamination ― such as paint or plaster ― before priming with neoprene or PVA primer.

Power-floated concrete floors require abrasion, either by scarification or light shot blasting.
Existing coverings, such as quarry tiles, mosaic, terrazzo or ceramics, should be degreased and abraded.
Asphalt should be degreased, then primed with neat neoprene or epoxy primer.

With conventional vinyl tiling applications, it is necessary to install a surface damp-proof membrane where moisture content is above 75%RH, regardless of the subfloor material. However the IOBAC metallised resin itself is water permeable, allowing any moisture in a damp subfloor to permeate through the resin. Magnetised tiling products can therefore be installed without additional treatments where the moisture content is up to 95% RH.