The study sorts to determine the degree of knowledge and use of Open Access Journals (OAJs) by the academic staff of Bolgatanaga Polytechnic. The study, which employed a descriptive survey design, revealed that all the respondents (100%) are aware of OAJs. The study conclusively showed that the respondents had downloaded and used published materials from OAJs, and had also published their manuscripts in same. Generally, they believed OAJs are able to speedily publish their manuscripts, thereby fastening their promotion. A good number of the respondents are of the view that OAJs are reliable platforms which makes it possible for them to freely access subject-specific materials which were used in the preparation of their manuscripts and teaching materials. A substantial number of the respondents are aware of the predatory activities of some OAJs.

The Upper East Region of Ghana is home to myriads of authentic handicraft products. Majority of the indigenes however, depend heavily on basket weaving to earn extra income to supplement gains made from subsistence farming, petty trading, and rearing of animals. Over the years, sales of the basket wares have fallen drastically, largely due to stale products. This is precariously affecting the earnings of the artisans. The India-Africa craft design initiative therefore aims at developing a range of innovative woven products to boost the fortunes of the industry.
The study was an output from the various India-Africa craft design project phases in Ghana. Data was collected using interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, observations and focus group discussions of the participating artisans, project consultants, technical experts, exporters and exhibition attendants. The study was also supported with photographs of some of the newly designed products. From the findings obtained, it is quite apparent that with the relevant artistic and technical inputs, the grass woven products from Bolgatanga and its environs, popularly known as "Bolga baskets" could be restyled and integrated with materials such as leather, wood, calabash, metal and bamboo, to become an acceptable export commodity, which could generate substantial income for the artisans, the region and the nation as a whole.

Leather tanning with vegetative materials is one of the artisanal preoccupations of some craftsmen in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The leathers produced are however, limited to only three colours; brown, white and black. Their usage in multi-coloured applications by leather crafters in the region is therefore very much restricted. Some of the artisans therefore import leathers from other leather producing communities outside Ghana to supplement the local ones. This stifles the growth of the industry and robs the region and the country of the much needed foreign exchange. This experimental research therefore explored the use of basic dyes, which are cheap and readily available in the area, to extend the colour range of the vegetable tanned leathers manufactured in the region. The research showed that even though the dyed leathers were quite fugitive when exposed to extreme sunlight; and were not dyed-through thoroughly, the affinity of the dyes to the grain and flesh sides of the leathers were admirable. The leathers also exhibited excellent colour brilliance, softness and flexibility. It was found out that the dyed leathers could be suitably used in crafting utilitarian articles such as hand bags, shoulder bags, belts, mobile phones cases, neck pouches, mats, slip-ons, puffs, attaches cases and wallets.