Prosper Mensah (Engr.) (PhD)

Position: Research Scientist

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Tel:+233 244750839 /+233209316074

Professional fields of interest:

• • • • • Timber and Wood Characterisation
        • Particleboard Production and Characterization
        • Furniture Making and Characterisation
        • Teaching and Training
        • Curriculum Design and Writing
        • Facilities Management 

Professional background

2021 – Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana.
2017 – 2020: PhD Wood Science and Technology, University of Education, Winneba-Kumasi Campus
2006 – 2009: M.Phil. Wood Science and Technology, University of Education, Winneba-Kumasi Campus
2003-2007: B. Ed Technology Education (First Class). University of Education, Kumasi Campus.
1996-2000: Professional Teacher Certificate ‘A’, Post-Secondary (with 2 distinctions) College of Education, Komenda

Research Project

Current Projects

1. Establishment of Bamboo Artefacts Production, Research and Training Center at CSIR-FORIG [BAP-RTC]. Project submitted to and funded by Ghana Skill Development Fund & CTVET Programme. Principal investigator together with Dr. James O. Amponsah with Technical advice from Prof. Daniel A. Ofori. (2024-2025).
2. Coordinating and supporting the Implementation of Ghana’s Threatened Trees Conservation Action Plan. Project submitted to and funded by Foundation Franklinia. (Role: Team member for project proposal development and writing, engineering and technical advice). James O. Amponsah, Dr. Joseph Asomaning, Prof. E. Opuni-Frimpong, Dr. S. Britwum Acquah, Dr. Reginald Guuroh, Prof. Daniel A. Ofori (2023).

Past Projects

1. Communication Materials to Promote Timber Species from Ghana. funded by BVRio, Brazil/UK. (Role: Team member for project proposal development; responsible for sample collection, processing, testing and drafting of the final report). Francis Wilson Owusu, Kwame Asamoah Adam, Haruna Seidu, James Govina (2020).

Selected Publications

Publications

1. Dorwu, F. K., Antwi, K., Mensah, P., Paula, E. A. O., Rusch, F., Pimenta, A. S., Melo, R. R. (2024). Variation of the anatomic characteristics of Anthocleista grandiflora wood as a function of tree age and trunk position. Nativa, Sinop, v. 12, n. 2, p. 302-311, 2024. 
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.31413/nativa.v12i2.16900
2. Mensah, P., Owusu, F. W., Adzigodie, J. K., Boakye, F., & Minkah, E. (2024). Anatomical and Physico-Mechanical Properties of Ficus exasperata Vahl Wood. Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(2). 27-46. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/dafs.122.16904.
3. Ohemeng, E., Iddrisu, M. N., Mensah, P., & de Melo, R. R. (2024). Tertiary Export Processing Firms in Ghana: The State of the Processing Technology. Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(2). 47-58. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/dafs.122.16905.
4. Mensah, P., Bih, F. K., Okumi-Andoh, E. (2024). Properties of elephant grass made particleboards: Influence of a hardener. Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances. 18(02), 075–091. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gjeta.2024.18.2.0024
5. Seidu, H., Nemeth, R., Owusu, F. W., Mensah, P., Awotwe-Mensah, M., & Felix, B. (2023). Effect of Temperature and Relative Humidity Variations on Bending Strength Properties of Hybrid Eucalyptus Wood in Ghana. Wood Research, 68(4), 781-791.
   DOI: doi.org/10.37763/wr.1336-4561/68.4.781791
6. Ohemeng, E., Mensah, P., Melo, R. R., Ebanyenle, E., Owusu, F. W., Seidu, H., Mitchual, S. J., (2023). Technological properties of Memecylon lateriflorum wood: a timber species from Ghana. Nativa, Sinop, v. 11, n. 3, p. 356-367. Pesquisas Agrárias e Ambientais.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.31413/nativa.v11i3.15885
7. Awotwe-Mensah, M., Mitchual, S. J., Appiah-Kubi, E., Dadzie, P. K., Mensah, P., Donkor, M. B. (2023). Assessment of the drying behaviour of young and mature Bambusa vulgaris from Ghana. Advances in Bamboo Science, Volume 5, November 2023, 100044.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bamboo.2023.100044
8. Mensah, P., Govina, J., Owusu-Asante, J. O., Seidu, H., Rodolfo Junior, F., Paula, E. A. de O., Pedrosa, T. D., & Melo, R. R. de. (2023). Durability and resistance of eco-friendly particleboards produced from agroforestry residues. Matéria (rio De Janeiro), 28(2), e20230027. 
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2023-0027
9. Donkoh, M. B., Mitchual, S. J., Dartey, E., Mensah, P. & Awotwe-Mensah, M. (2023). Impact of training on occupational health and safety of woodworkers at a wood processing village in Ghana. Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 14(03), 007–018. 
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gjeta.2023.14.3.0216    
10. Owusu-Asante, J. O., Mensah, P., Minkah, E., Gakpetor, P. M., Kwarteng, R., Nyarko, E. D., Eshun, B. (2023). Maintain your Natural Skintone. Everyday Science for School. Volume 10, Number 2, page 16-18. Published by Ghana Science Association.
11.  Kwarteng, R., Owusu-Asante, J. O., Gakpetor, P. M., Mensah, P. Eshun, B., Nyarko, E. D., Ketemepi, H. K., Minkah, E., (2023). The Honeybee and its Benefits. Everyday Science for School. Volume 10, Number 2, page 48-51. Published by Ghana Science Association.
12. Mensah, P., Owusu, F. W., Apetorgbor, M. M., Seidu, H. (2022). Natural Durability of Three Selected Ghanaian Lesser Used/Known Timber Species using Accelerated Laboratory Test. European Modern Studies Journal. ISSN 2522-9400. VOL 6, No 1. Page 150-163.
13. Mensah, P., Melo, R. R., Mitchual, S. J., Govina, J. and Seidu, H. (2021). Characterisation and Utilization of Theobroma cacao stem Wood. Ghana Journal of Forestry. Vol 37, pp 79-99. ISSN 0855-1707
14. Mensah, P., Mitchual, S. J., Apetorgbor, M. M. and Frimpong-Mensah, K. (2020) Decay Resistance of Particleboards Manufactured with Four Agro-Forest Residues Using Cassava Starch and Urea Formaldehyde as Adhesives. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 9, 240-254.
    https://doi.org/10.4236/jacen.2020.94019
15. Mitchual, S. J., Mensah, P., Frimpong-Mensah, K. and Appiah-Kubi, E. (2020). Characterization of Particleboard Produced from Residues of Plantain pseudostem, Cacao Pod and Stem and Ceiba. Materials Sciences and Applications, 11, 817-836. https://doi.org/10.4236/msa.2020.1112054
16. Mensah, P., Owusu, F. W., Mitchual, S. J., Kusi, E., & Frimpong-Mensah, K. (2020). Some Mechanical Properties of Particleboards Produced from Four Agro-Forest Residues Using Cassava Starch and Urea Formaldehyde as Adhesives. https://doi.org/10.17265/2161-6221/2021.4-6.001
17. Okai R., Mitchual, S. J., Mensah, P., Dzakpasu, R. K. (2015). Characterization of Physical, Machining and Finishing Properties of Oil Palm Lumber: An Emerging Non-Timber Forest Product in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering. Website: www.ijetae.com. ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 5, Issue 8.
18. Mensah, P., Mitchual, S. J., Frimpong-Mensah, K. (2020). Some mechanical properties of particleboards produced from four agro-forest residues using cassava starch and urea formaldehyde as adhesives. An abstract presented at the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, July 12-15, 2020. Proceedings of the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, page 56.
19. Mensah, P. (2020). Effect of Moisture Content and Preservatives on Discoloration of Oil Palm Lumber. An abstract presented at the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, July 12-15, 2020. Proceedings of the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, page 338.
20. Mensah, P., Mitchual, S. J., Frimpong-Mensah, K. (2020). Physical Properties of Particleboard Produced from Residues of Musa paradisiaca pseudostem, Theobroma cacao and Ceiba pentandra. An abstract presented at the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, July 12-15, 2020. Proceedings of the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, page 548.

Conference papers:

1. Mitchual, S. J., Mensah, P., Frimpong-Mensah, K. & Appiah-Kubbi, E. (2020). Characterization of Particleboard Produced from Residues of Musa paradisiaca pseudostem, Theobroma cacao pod, Theobroma cacao stem and Ceiba pentandra. Paper presented at the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, July 12-15, 2020. Proceedings of the 2020 Society of Wood Science and Technology International Convention, page 549-569.
2. Okai R., Mensah, P., (2010). Can the Pressure on the Tropical Forest Be Reduced through Industrial Utilization of Oil Palm Lumber, A Non-Timber Forest Product? Presented at the XXIII IUFRO World Congress held in Seoul, South Korea, from August 23-28, 2010
3. Okai R., Mensah, P., (2010). Chemical Treatment of Oil Palm Lumber, An Emerging Non-Timber Forest Product in The West African Sub-Region. Presented at the XXIII IUFRO World Congress in Seoul, South Korea, August 23-28, 2010.

Awards/Fellowships 

2008/2009 - Dean’s Award, By The School of Research and Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba

Affiliations

1. Research Scientist Associate (CSIR, RSA)
2. Ghana Science Association (GSA)
3. International Wood Science Association (ISWST)
4. Forest Product Society