Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
Safety, Quality and the Environment
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Safety, Quality and the Environment
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Subject: Manufacturing Engineering
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 7
Grade code: 2.3.3.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 2.3.3.CS.2
Indicator code: 2.3.3.LI.2
Theme: Manufacturing Tools, Equipment and Processes
Subtheme: Safety, Quality and the Environment
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This lesson explores the dynamic and ever-changing world of manufacturing in Ghana. We will move beyond the factory floor to understand the major forces shaping how products are made, sold, and disposed of in our country. From the phone in your pocket assembled abroad to the locally produced "sobolo" in a plastic bottle, manufacturing is affected by global competition, the cost of electricity ("light bill"), and a growing concern for our environment. Understanding these trends is crucial for anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur, an engineer, or simply an informed citizen who understands how our national economy works and its impact on our communities.
This section breaks down the three major trends mentioned in the curriculum. We will define each trend, provide real Ghanaian examples, and discuss its effects. Trend 1: Globalization What it is: Globalization is the process by which businesses, economies, and cultures become more interconnected across the world. In manufacturing, it means that a product can be designed in one country, its parts made in several other countries, assembled in another, and sold worldwide. It also means that local Ghanaian companies must compete with companies from all over the world, right here in our markets. Ghanaian Context & Examples: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Headquartered in Accra, AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa. A Ghanaian company like Kasapreko can now sell its drinks more easily in Nigeria or Kenya, but it also means a Kenyan company can sell its products more easily in Ghana. Competition from Imports: Walk into any market in Accra, Kumasi, or Tamale. You will see textiles from China, canned fish from Thailand, and biscuits from Turkey. These imported goods compete directly with local manufacturers like Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL) or Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC). Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Globalization also brings investment. Companies like Volkswagen (VW) and Nissan have established assembly plants in Ghana. They bring technology, skills, and capital into our country. Effects on the Community and Nation:
| Positive Effects (Pros) | Negative Effects (Cons) | | :--- | :--- | | Increased Consumer Choice: Ghanaians have access to a wider variety of goods at potentially lower prices. | Decline of Local Industries: Small-scale local manufacturers (e.g., local shoemakers, textile weavers) often cannot compete with the low prices of mass-produced imports and may go out of business. | | Job Creation: Foreign companies setting up in Ghana (like the car assembly plants) create jobs for Ghanaians. | Job Losses: When local factories shut down due to competition, people in the community lose their jobs, leading to unemployment. | | Technology and Skills Transfer: Foreign companies bring new manufacturing techniques and train local workers, improving the nation's skill base. | Over-dependence on Foreign Goods: The nation can become too reliant on imports, making our economy vulnerable to global price shocks and currency fluctuations. | | Access to Larger Markets: AfCFTA allows successful Ghanaian brands like Special Ice or Aluworks to export their products and earn foreign exchange for the country. | Cultural Impact: The dominance of foreign products can sometimes erode the preference for and pride in locally made goods. |
Trend 2: Rise in Energy Costs What it is: This refers to the increasing price of electricity and fuel (petrol, diesel) which are essential for powering machinery, transporting raw materials, and distributing finished goods. In Ghana, this is a very familiar challenge. Ghanaian Context & Examples: Electricity Tariffs ("Light Bill"): The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) periodically adjusts electricity tariffs. These increases directly affect the operational costs of every factory, from a large steel plant in Tema to a small corn mill operator in a village. Fuel Price Hikes: The price of petrol and diesel affects the cost of transporting raw materials (e.g., cocoa beans to the factory) and delivering finished products (e.g., bread to shops). "Dumsor" (Power Outages): Unreliable power supply forces many manufacturers to invest in and run expensive generators, which consume a lot of diesel, further increasing their costs. A sachet water factory, for instance, cannot afford to stop production during an outage. Effects on the Community and Nation:
| Positive Effects (Pros) | Negative Effects (Cons) | | :--- | :--- | | Drive for Energy Efficiency: High costs push companies to invest in more energy-efficient machines and processes to save money. | Increased Production Costs: This is the biggest impact. Higher electricity and fuel bills mean it costs more to make a single item. | | Growth of Renewable Energy: The high cost of traditional energy encourages businesses to explore alternatives like solar panels to power their operations, which is good for the environment. | Higher Prices for Consumers: To cover their high costs, manufacturers pass on the expense to consumers. This is why the price of bread, sachet water, or even cement can go up. This affects the cost of living for everyone. | | | Reduced Competitiveness: A Ghanaian product made with expensive electricity will be more expensive than a similar product from a country with cheaper power. This makes it harder for our goods to compete in the global market. | | | Business Closures and Job Losses: Small businesses, like welders or cold store operators, that cannot afford the high energy costs or the cost of a generator may be forced to shut down, leading to job losses in the community. |