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UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON
INSTITUTE OF
STATISTICAL, SOCIAL
AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH
College of Humanities, University of Ghana
ANNUAL
REPORT
2013-14
2
Statement from Director
4
Interview with Advisory Board Chair
6
Our Eight Strategic Objectives
8
Research at ISSER
9
Research Activity Highlight
11
Teaching Programmes
12
Special Training Programme
12
Professional Short Courses
13
Advocacy and Extension
15
Snapshots of 2013/2014
18
Our Collaborators
20
Publications
21
List of Publications for the
23
Staff List 2013/ 2014
31
List of on-going Projects
35
ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
2013/2014 Academic Year
1
Contents
About ISSER
Vision
About
ISSER
Who we are
ISSER is a leading research institute that is committed
to carrying out research and training that promotes
the socio-economic development of Ghana and Africa.
Established in 1962, ISSER has evolved into one of West
Africa’s most respected institutes of research, known
for applying academic skills to real-world challenges.
The Institute’s achievements in social science research,
the high standard of its training programmes and the
impact of its advocacy drives have earned for it a strong
reputation and an enviable network of relationships in
both national and international circles.
To be recognized globally for promoting knowledge for development through authoritative policy research, training
and advocacy.
Mission
ISSER’s mission is to carry out activities that would promote the socio-economic development of Ghana in particular
and Africa in general. Specifically, the Institute is expected to undertake research in the social sciences, and training
that: •
have immediate bearing on the problems and the development needs of Ghana in particular and Africa in
general;
•
relate to special assignments from government and other agencies as a way of providing guidance, support
and advice;
•
are in keeping with the academic purposes of the University. Especially in relation to advanced teaching,
enriching and adding to the teaching and effectiveness of institutional programmes in the social sciences;
•
serve to monitor and evaluate the effects of development policies, projects and programmes both in terms of
their objectives and general consequences.
Our Values
Our values are fundamental to all activities and interactions, and are intended to describe the ethos and character
of ISSER. These are the traits that staff will aspire to and will ensure that everyone acts and behaves in a manner that
supports the realization of the Institute’s goals.
TEAMWORK
We will leverage each individual’s unique expertise to achieve the best results and respect the
contributions of all.
CREDIBILITY
We will be thorough and sincere in all our work to ensure the accuracy and integrity of our outputs.
RESOURCEFULNESS
We will push ourselves to develop solutions in our work and continuously seek new opportunities.
RESPONSIVENESS
We will act in the best interest of the Institute, holding ourselves accountable for our roles.
ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
COMMITMENT
3
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ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
We will respond proactively to the changing dynamics and needs of our environment.
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante
In many ways, 2014 was a year of exciting activity but also a year of reflection and new beginnings. We
assiduously followed the line of activities – research, publications, training, advocacy drives – that make
us who we are. Amongst other activities, we organized an international workshop on gender analysis
and organized several more seminars and workshops at the local level; we released two institutional
publications including the State of the Ghanaian Economy Report, the launch of which was followed by
a roadshow. We enrolled new students unto our training programmes.
We also transitioned into a new strategy (2014 – 2019), our old strategic plan (2010 – 2014) having
come to an end. At the end of a four-year strategy, how did we perform, what is left to do, what are the
key developments over the past four years and what are the likely impacts on the Institute, how do we
ensure the sustained relevance of our programmes? These considerations underpinned the planning
process.
At ISSER, our vision is to be recognized globally for promoting knowledge for development through
authoritative policy research, training and advocacy. The planning process, which involved all staff, was
initiated with the objective to develop a blue print that will propel the Institute towards this vision.
Throughout the process, we were mindful to develop a plan that will be accessible to all and lend itself
readily to implementation.
We have focused our work around eight strategic aims that constitute the must-win-battles that ISSER
must achieve to attain its vision. I will touch on a couple of these.
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ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
First, we aim to enhance stakeholder relationships in pursuit of mutually beneficial objectives. We
believe in the power of collaborative effort – partnerships, support programmes, joint projects – as an
effective tool for far-reaching impact. It ties in strongly with our aspiration to reach out to countries
outside the borders of Ghana – to lend a helping hand where it is needed and also to benefit from the
strengths of others. There is so much to do and we believe we can achieve more when we collaborate
more. The very complexity of some of society’s challenges obliges us to adopt a collaborative approach.
The establishment at ISSER of a Measurement Learning and Evaluation (MLE) regional hub, alongside
the brokering of three regional projects (to be conducted in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso) – is a big
step towards this aim. Over the next five years, we will give substantial attention to the development
of collaborative relationships with stakeholders outside the borders of Ghana, not relenting on the
activities that will help us sustain existing ones.
Changes currently on-going in the University of Ghana to transform it into a research-intensive university
is stimulating. It is the Institute’s aim to take a leadership position in this process. For these aspirations
to happen, we will continue to leverage the strengths we have – even as we work to overcome our
weaknesses – and commit to producing research knowledge that responds to real problems, knowledge
that is solid and provides credible basis for action.
Another aim – one that is very dear to me personally – is building and retaining a highly qualified, welltrained, motivated, committed and efficient team. Our aim, as an institute, is to convene the necessary
mass of qualified staff, including research fellows to lead research efforts.
A major boost to the research capacity of the Institute was the engagement in the 2013/2014 academic
year of three young research fellows. They are Dr. Fred Dzanku with background in Agricultural Economics,
attached to the Economics Division, Dr. Aba Crentsil, with a background in Development Planning and
Dr. Cynthia A. Tagoe with a background in Geography, both attached to the Social Division. I take this
opportunity to welcome them, once again, into the fold.
As regards, capacity development initiatives, we have instituted a capacity building programme for
senior and junior staff. For the 2013/2014 academic year, five junior and senior staff received institutional
support to pursue approved professional development programmes of various kinds. New research
fellows are consciously propped with well-targeted learning opportunities. These efforts are consistent
with our conviction that an empowered human resource is our strongest bet for success.
These and many more developments happening here at ISSER are indication that we are well on track
towards achieving our strategic aims (2014 – 2019).
It is a good time to express our sincere thanks to all collaborators. Our achievements – in research, training,
advocacy, institutional development, amongst others – have been possible, thanks to the unfailing
support of our cherished partners and collaborators. Thanks to you, our commitment to support the
development process with credible, high quality research and advocacy, and well-grounded training –
has been upheld all these years.
I thank staff of the Institute. Together we form a great team. I encourage us all to continue to work as a
team and to pursue excellence in every endeavour.
ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Director
Secondly, we want to promote a research agenda that is forward-looking and relevant to the development
of Ghana and Africa. Research is core to our raison d’etre. The planning process was an opportunity
to re-examine our thematic areas of research, to ascertain their pertinence to current challenges of
development.
5
Statement from
Interview with
Shaping policy with objective and quality research
Prof. John Gyapong is the Chairperson of the ISSER Advisory Board. He has steered the strategic
leadership team of the Institute since 2010.
In an interview with the Publications and Communications Officer of ISSER, he shares his opinion
about ISSER’s progress. He speaks of some new developments and how these are likely to impact
ISSER.
Q: ISSER has existed for over 50 years and has made
significant contributions to improve human wellbeing through research, training and advocacy. How
do you assess the Institute’s performance so far?
A: I am of the view that the principal thing is not so
much about the number of years the Institute has
been in existence but how relevant it has kept itself
over the years. I think ISSER has done considerably
well to ensure its sustained relevance to Ghana and
beyond.
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ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Starting with an initial focus on statistical issues,
ISSER has expanded its area of work in response to an
emerging need for expert solutions in other areas to
embrace social and economic problems. Consistent
with this expanded mandate, the Institute has
grown in terms of internal organizational structure
and competences, infrastructure, systems and
partnerships to deliver effectively on this mandate.
Decades of work by the Institute has resulted in
a solid programme of research characterized by
objectivity and a commitment to the basic tenets of
good research. This has made ISSER a reliable partner,
trusted by many for collaborative projects. The
Institute has been consistent, since its establishment,
in putting out information that is objective and
evidence based. This is indeed heartening, especially
in these times when being the first to be heard
appears to be gaining place over due diligence.
The Institute continues to make significant
contributions to career training and professional
development through its highly subscribed training
programmes – Development Studies at the Masters
and PhD levels and professional short courses.
In terms of advocacy, it continues to churn out a steady
flow of publications which serve as a major vehicle
for the dissemination of scientific information. I am
aware that researchers of the Institute participate,
on a regular basis, in discussions on various platforms
including radio and television, as well as conferences,
seminars and workshops, organised by ISSER or by
other institutions.
The annual State of the Ghanaian Economy Report
is an important advocacy channel, branded as a
good report by economists and non-economists
alike. The Institute’s consistency with this report is
commendable.
However, going forward there is the need to set
ourselves measurable targets with key performance
indicators on a regular basis. Pre-agreed targets
Q: How do you perceive the level of appreciation of
ISSER’s work, locally and internationally?
As an institute concerned with statistical, social
and economic issues, there are opportunities to be
harnessed, but it all depends on how well we position
ourselves to take advantage of these opportunities.
The UG has put in systems and resources to facilitate
this programme of transformation. I believe that
ISSER has what it takes to make the most of these
provisions and by so doing lift the Institute’s research
programme to a higher level.
A: People have a lot of respect for ISSER. The
Institute continues to deliver on its mandate, and
to keep unwavering focus on building a strong
internal organizational structure – that responds
to the highest standards of professionalism and
accountability. Feedback from individuals and
organizations I have interacted with show that
they appreciate the quality of ISSER’s work and its
professionalism.
That ISSER’s opinion is sought on issues, especially
issues relating to the state of the Ghanaian economy,
is a reflection of how well respected the Institute is.
Q: The University of Ghana (UG), the mother institution
of ISSER has engaged the process to become a research
university. What does this mean for ISSER in terms of
its unique position between the worlds of academic
research and teaching, and that of think tanks?
A: Indeed, we have embarked on a programme of
systematically transforming UG into a research
university. The objective is to become research
intensive and to train more graduate students.
Through this, we hope to be the source of innovations
to facilitate development in Ghana and the entire
sub-region. Consequently, the UG’s research focus
for the medium term has been organized into four
broad thematic areas, including the “Development
Q: Research activity at ISSER is and has always been
driven by the principles of integrity, objectivity and
credibility. The Institute needs a strong resourcebase in order to stay true to these principles – as
well as continue to develop innovative approaches
and solutions to match the growing complexity of
development challenges.
Do you have any word for current collaborators of the
Institute and potential collaborators out there?
A: Based on my interactions with others and my own
experiences with ISSER, I believe the Institute has
capacity to deliver and deliver well. Competences
aside, integrity is a distinctive feature of ISSER.
Coupled with these, the University of Ghana where
ISSER is based has in place systems to ensure prudent
financial management by all units. It is certainly a
good buy to work with ISSER. I encourage partners
to continue to trust the ability of ISSER and the
University of Ghana.
Professor John Gyapong is the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development of the University of Ghana. He
is a Public Health Physician and an Epidemiologist.
Before assuming responsibility as Pro-Vice Chancellor, he was the Vice-Dean and Professor in Epidemiology and Disease
Control at the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana, and an Adjunct Professor of International Health at the
Georgetown University in Washington. He serves on several international research review committees and boards and has
over 120 publications in peer reviewed journals.
ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Prof. John Gyapong
Policy Monitoring and Evaluation” thematic area, led
by Prof. Felix. Asante, who happens to be the director
of ISSER.
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ADVISORY
BOARD CHAIR
provide a framework for performance evaluation
and provide for an assessment that is based on
measureable indicators and not on personal opinions.
At a glance
Our Eight Strategic Objectives
Consciously promote evaluative thinking throughout the Institute.
Research
Promote a research agenda that is forward-looking and
relevant to the development of Ghana.
3
Training
Ensure the sustained relevance of teaching and learning
programmes to meet the demands of the job market.
Stakeholders
Enhance stakeholder relationships in pursuit of mutually
beneficial objectives.
5
Be proactive and strategic in information dissemination and policy
advocacy
We will review and implement processes that facilitate research,
training and advocacy;
ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
8
4
Dissemination and Advocacy
Processes
7
2
6
People
Build a highly qualified, well-trained, motivated, committed and
efficient team;
Financial management
Secure and adequately manage our financial resources to
ensure that we deliver on our aims.
8
Research and the creation of new knowledge
remain essential to efforts to achieve desired levels
of development and human well-being. Success is
dependent on programmes that are based on rigorous
research and learning. We are aware of this fact and that
is why we continue to work relentlessly at what we do –
research. The past year was no exception.
Research activities in Ghana aside, 2013/14 was
remarkable as it brought into realization a long-held
aspiration of ISSER – to launch research activities in
other parts of the sub-region. The Institute recently
won three cross-border projects – to be implemented in
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger respectively. These and the
establishment of a regional Measurement, Learning and
Evaluation Unit have set ISSER on course to make a firm
introduction, outside the borders of Ghana, of its research
activities.
We look back with great pride at the enormous inputs we
have made to bridge the research-policy divide in Ghana.
We look forward to the future with much excitement
because we feel empowered – more than ever – to
assume challenges and come out with useful solutions,
wherever, whenever.
Below, highlights of some major research activities of
2013/2014.
AGRA Bread Basket Project
ISSER is offering technical support to the Alliance for
a Green Revolution in Africa’s bread basket project in
Ghana and Burkina Faso. This is an international initiative
to evaluate and track the outcomes of agricultural
production and productivity over time.
Principal Investigators: Dr. Robert Darko Osei and Dr. Isaac
Osei Akoto
Impact of Reminders of PostHarvest Aggregation Services
and Timely Provision of Price
Information on Smallholder
Farmers’ Market Power and
Incomes in Mali
In 2013, the Malian Association of Awakening on
Sustainable Development (AMEDD), received a grant from
the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to
implement interventions in Mali’s largest grain producing
region, Sikasso, which are expected to help address
the constraints of limited access to agricultural inputs,
poor post-harvest management, poor organization
of farmers, limited credit access, and underdeveloped
output markets. The overall expected outcome of the
intervention is increased smallholder farmer incomes in
the region.
ISSER has been contracted by the International Initiative
for Impact Evaluations (3ie) to conduct an impact
evaluation of some components of the project, mainly
to assess the impact of mobile phone reminders of postharvest aggregation services and timely provision of price
information on smallholder farmers’ market power. This
is a three-year project which will involve a baseline data
collection in October/November 2014 and an endline
data collection in 2016.
Principal investigators: Dr. Robert Darko Osei, Dr. Isaac Osei
Akoto and Dr. Fred Dzanku
Does Reinforcing Agro-dealer
Network Improve Access and Use
of Agriculture Inputs by Farmers
in Niger?
Contribution à l’Education de Base (CEB), in partnership
with Association des Distributeurs des Produits
Phytosanitaires du Niger (ADPHYTO), and with funding
from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA),
is implementing a project that aims at reinforcing agrodealers’ network in Niger. The intervention aims to
improve smallholder farmers’ access to and adoption of
agricultural inputs in three regions of Niger.
ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Evaluative Thinking
9
1
Research
at ISSER
Research Activity
Highlight
ISSER has been contracted by the International Initiative
for Impact Evaluations (3ie) to evaluate the impact of the
project on key outcomes of interest.
ISSER-Social Impact Governance
and Accountability Project
Principal investigators: Dr. Isaac Osei Akoto, Dr. Robert
Darko Osei and Dr. Patricia Aidam
ISSER has been subcontracted by Social Impact (SI)
to conduct an impact evaluation of USAID/Ghana’s
Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms (G-SAM)
programme. The evaluation will be implemented over
approximately two years and is comprised of three
discrete data collection activities – (i) baseline surveys and
qualitative data collection activities, (ii) Midline and (iii)
End line survey and qualitative data collection activities.
Partnership for Action on Green
Economy (PAGE)
The purpose of this study is to assess accountability
relationships between district government and citizens
as well as the delivery of local capital projects.
The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) was
launched by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) and the United Nations Institute for Training
and Research (UNITAR) – in response to the outcome
document of the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development (Rio+20): The Future We Want.
Principal investigators: Prof. Peter Quartey and Prof. George
Owusu.
Specific objectives include: to analyse the impact of
building the capacity of agro-dealers on smallholder
farmers’ access to and use of agricultural inputs; to
analyse the impact of credit on smallholder farmers’ use
of agricultural inputs.
PAGE aims to support 30 countries including Ghana, over
the next six years in inclusive green economy transitions
that will generate new jobs and skills, promote clean
technologies, and reduce environmental risks and poverty.
ISSER has been contracted to offer technical services to
support PAGE activities in Ghana.
Principal investigators: Prof. Felix Asante and Dr. Simon
Bawakyillenuo
ISSER gets Measurement Learning and Evaluation unit
ISSER with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation (BMGF, the Foundation) has established
a Measurement Learning and Evaluation (MLE) unit
to provide training and technical assistance services –
across all aspects of survey research and practice - from
study design to data collection and storage, analysis and
dissemination of findings – to institutions implementing
development projects in Ghana and West Africa.
The unit comes to strengthen the capacity of ISSER
to achieve its goals in Survey and Statistics and make
it an important regional hub for operational services
in MLE within the Agricultural Learning and Impacts
Network (ALINe) initiative, an initiative that promotes
people-centred measurement, learning, and evaluation
approaches.
This project, it is expected, will help deepen ISSER’s
engagement with national partners and promote
the development of strong and sustainable regional
networks and partnerships. With initial focus on Niger,
Mali, Burkina Faso, Liberia and Sierra Leone, it is hoped
that several other countries in West Africa and Africa will
benefit from the service of the ISSER MLE unit.
Sustainable Energy Transition
(SAMSET) Project
Underpinned by the Knowledge Exchange Framework
(KEF) methodological tool, the Supporting Sub-Saharan
Africa’s Municipalities with Sustainable Energy Transitions
(SAMSET) project seeks to support six municipalities
in three distinct sub-Saharan African countries namely
Ghana, Uganda and South Africa to transition sustainably
within their energy development trajectories. Project
period is October 2013 - 20th September 2017.
Principal investigator: Dr. Simon Bawakyillenuo.
Server room
Training lab
Data Processing Centre
Office space
11 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
10 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Refer to page 35– 36 for the list of on-going projects 2013/ 2014
Teaching Programmes
Developing the capacity of young people to support the process of development is core to ISSER’s mandate. With MA
and PhD programmes in Development Studies and professional short courses, the Institute has lived up to this mandate,
contributing well-rounded graduates to the human resource base of Ghana and Africa. Training programmes continue to
reflect and benefit from the strong research and publication credentials of the Institute.
Below is the record of admissions for the 2013/2014 academc year .
MA in Development Studies
PhD in Development Studies
In the spotlight Professional Short Courses
ISSER professional short courses –
filling gaps of knowledge …strengthening capacities
Foreign Student
Professional Short Courses
56
PROJECT CYCLE
MANAGEMENT:
19
RESEARCH METHODS
34
SURVEY METHODS
11
Special Training Programme
ISSER Hosts Five-Day International
Training Workshop
12 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research
(ISSER) in partnership with the Think Tank Initiative (TTI) of
the IDRC organised a five-day International Gender Analysis
Training Workshop for social science researchers in subSaharan Africa.
Director and some staff of ISSER with participants
Participant from the Data Management
short course run in July 2014
Credit: ISSER Communications Office
The training workshop was held from April 7 to 11, 2014,
under the theme “engendering social science research”.
It gathered 20 social science researchers drawn from five
countries in East, West and Central Africa for five insightful
days of learning, knowledge and experiences sharing, as
well as practical training on how to successfully incorporate
gender in research and the analysis of data. The workshop
was facilitated by four high-level gender experts, including
research fellows of ISSER.
Based on wide-ranging interviews with ISSER
Management and coordinators of the professional short
course programme, we attempt to provide answers to
some questions about this training programme.
ISSER training programmes where does the short course
programme fit?
An important aspect of ISSER’s mandate is to build
capacity and contribute to ensuring a critical pool of
leaders to drive the development process. ISSER fulfills
this purpose through three training programs – the
short courses, MA/MPhil and PhD-level programmes in
Development Studies, as well as special one-off training
programmes. Each programme is designed to serve a
unique purpose.
The short course programme was developed in response
to a growing demand for specific skills in development
practice, it is tailored to fill specific skills and knowledge
gaps of busy professionals.
Hundreds of professionals have over the decades
benefitted immensely from expert training and coaching
– activities that have helped bridge important skills gaps
and strengthened capacities for optimal performance on
the job.
What are the courses/ training
schedules?
There are four courses usually run during the intersemester break – in June and July each year. They are:
Research Methodology and Writing, Project Cycle
Management, Data Management and Analysis, and
Survey Research Methods.
What is the recommended
participant mix?
At its inception, the short course programme had the
objective to equip middle-level policy makers and
development practitioners with skills in statistics. This
meant that only individuals with statistics-based needs
enrolled.
With the expansion of the programme to embrace
other functional areas, however, the participant mix has
naturally grown broader. It currently hosts a wide range
13 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
DATA MANAGEMENT
is very practical and hands on. Some of the courses
also involve field trips as well as practical activities, so
participants leave with real skills they can apply!
Workers from the Internal Revenue Service, the
Electricity Company of Ghana, Ghana Water Company,
the Ministries, NGOs, private companies, among other
institutions, have benefitted from the programme. There
is international participation from professionals outside
Ghana. The mix gets broader and more interesting year
after year.
What really sets ISSER short
courses apart?
What accounts for the high level
of patronage of the programme?
The Institute’s training programmes are carried out in
strict adherence to the highest standards in terms of
lecturer quality, resources and teaching methods – the
short course is no exception.
Each of the four courses has a dedicated course
coordinator, who has oversight over all aspects of the
course. There is a short course coordinator who, with
the assistance of an in-house committee, has oversight
responsibility over the entire short course programme.
These individuals work together to ensure quality on all
aspects of the programme.
Instructors are academics with great depths of knowledge
acquired through research and other areas of endeavor.
Experts are sourced from ISSER, the University of Ghana
and elsewhere to deliver modules. The teaching model
The ISSER short course transcends the commercial. It is
part of the Institute’s mandate to try to build the capacity
of people who have opportunity to influence policy. ISSER
feels it an obligation to empower people with solid skills
in order for them to do better in their work. Every round
of training is deemed an opportunity to achieve part of
this mandate.
Further, the programme offers a great platform for people
to meet and expand their boundaries, solve problems
and form lasting support systems.
What is the feedback from
participants?
Advocacy
and Extension
2013/2014 was very lively and fulfilling as the Institute carried out the activities and engagements that provide it platform
to share knowledge and information, and also to listen to and learn from its stakeholders and partners. These engagements
have provided opportunity for rigorous debate about important development issues – debates that help not only to
uncover fresh information but also to illuminate alternative solutions.
The Institute was host to many visitors – including the media many of who consider ISSER as the ‘go to’ organisation when
it comes to objective and credible information on social and economic issues, as well as public and private organisations,
partners and individuals who continue to engage and work with ISSER on an on-going basis. Researchers of the Institute, on
their part, continue to avail themselves for external events and platforms that afford them opportunity to make relevant
contributions to development discussions and programmes.
Major advocacy and extension activities in 2013/2014 are presented, in brief, below:
Feedback has, in large part, shown high participant
satisfaction, and this is something that continues to
spur the Institute on. This positive feedback is the result
of the seriousness programme managers attach to the
feedback mechanism. They do not only encourage and
solicit candid feedback from participants; they take
appropriate actions, based on participant feedback, to
improve the programme each year.
November 27 - 28, 2014. Cape Coast:
State of the Ghanaina Economy
Report(SGER) 2013 roadshow
The 2014 edition of the State of the Ghanaian Economy
Report roadshow was held in Cape Coast and Yamoransa, of
the Central region, on November 27 and 28, 2014 respectively.
Participants at UCC roadshow
14 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Dr. Nana Akua Anyidoho, coordinator of
the professional short course programme
has this to say:
The short course programme is part of our outreach as an institute; it is
one of the ways that we can share our expertise and research knowledge
with others for their work, whether in academic, government or corporate
Ghana. We receive excellent feedback every year from participants about
these courses, which encourages us to continue to invest our time and
resources in running them.
The SGER roadshow is part of ISSER and the Economy of
Ghana Network’s* effort to reach out to all the regions of
Ghana. Apart from giving regional stakeholders opportunity
to participate in and contribute to policy discussions, the
roadshow makes it possible for ISSER, alongside the EGN, to
extend its expert discussion platforms to other regions of the
country. The roadshow offers a unique platform – especially
during the district level visit – where researchers interact
with stakeholders in the local language of the area, and
engage people in ways as to foster appreciation of the Report
and the prevailing social and economic condition.
October 2, 2014. ISSER:
Launch of the State of the Ghanaian
Economy Report (SGER) 2013
The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research
(ISSER) launched the 23rd edition of its flagship publication –
the State of the Ghanaian Economy Report (SGER).
Starting in 1992 when the first Report was issued, the SGER
has remained one of the most comprehensive, and credible
sources of informed analysis on the Ghanaian economy –a
valuable resource to guide government and high level policy
makers in the public and private sector, civil society, bilateral
and multilateral partners, academicians, among others.
Prof. Gyapong launching SGER 2013
15 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
of participants including students, academicians, public
and private sector workers, project managers, research
officers etc.
August 20, 2014. ISSER:
July 25, 2014. ISSER
The Economy of Ghana Network (EGN) of ISSER, in
collaboration with the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health
organized a dissemination workshop to disseminate the
findings of research conducted under the Public Health and
Population Thematic Area of the EGN.
Theme of the research project was “Sugar Daddy” Babies and
their Mothers: Cross-Generational Sexual Relationship and
Outcomes among Girls in Accra in the era of HIV/AIDS, by Dr.
(Mrs) Delali Badasu, Director, Center for Migration Studies
and Subject Matter Specialist for EGN Public Health and
Population thematic area.
Second National Reference Group
(NRG) Meeting of CREW
CUTS International in collaboration with ISSER organized
the second National Reference Group (NRG) meeting for
the CREW project. The purpose of the meeting was to:
share, with the NRG, findings of preliminary research
conducted on the maize and bus transport sectors of
Dr. Delali Badasu
*The Economy of Ghana Network (EGN) of ISSER is an e-platform where people with adequate training and interest in
discussing issues relevant to the proper management of the economy and development of Ghana convene to discuss and
exchange ideas. The EGN largely operates as the advocacy wing of ISSER.
August 20, 2014. ISSER:
Meeting with officials of PAGE
project
The Director of ISSER, Prof. Felix Asante hosted representatives
of UN partner institutions of the Partnership for Action on
Green Economy (PAGE) for a meeting, whose objective,
among others, was to discuss ISSER’s role as a supporting
institution of PAGE in Ghana. ISSER is undertaking the
Green Economy Assessment for the country, an important
component of PAGE.
Prof. Asante with PAGE officials
The team of six, led by Mr. Frank Van Rompaey, country
representative of the United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation (UNIDO), included high-level officials of the
International Labour Organisation (ILO), the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations
Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
May 8, 2014. ISSER :
16 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Dissemination Workshop
Participants at the meeting
Hon. Appiah-Kubi (middle) making a point
Participants at the meeting included Prof. Samuel DateBah, Chairman, University of Ghana Council and Board
Chair, CUTS Accra, Lawyer Kofi Amenya, Director (Legal)
at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), Ghana,
Mr. Eric Osei-Owusu, CEO of the National Food Buffer
Stock Company (NAFCO), Prof. Felix Asante, Director,
ISSER, officials of CUTS Ghana and CUTS International,
representatives from MoFA, AGRA and the DVLA.
The CREW project stands for ‘Competition Reforms
in Key Markets for Enhancing Social and Economic
Welfare in Development Countries’ and aims to develop
a body of evidence to engage in advocacy for promoting
competition reforms in two key sectors, staple food
and bus transport, across four countries in Africa and
Asia including Ghana. In Ghana the project is being
implemented with technical assistance from ISSER, the
country partner, with the support of two experts, one
each for the agriculture sector and the transport sector.
February 11 – 12, 2014:
Visit by team from Institute of Social
Development, UWC
The Institute received a three-member team from the
Institute of Social Development (ISD), University of Western
Cape, South Africa on a two-day visit. The visit was in line with
the desire of the two institutes to explore possible areas of
collaboration.
The visiting team, led by the Director of ISD, Professor Julian
May, held discussion sessions with various members of the
ISSER community including the Dean of the Faculty of Social
Sciences, the Director and Management of ISSER as well
Research Fellows. Discussions yielded exciting ideas and
helped identify initial areas of possible collaboration between
ISSER and the ISD.
The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research
(ISSER) in collaboration with the African Economic Research
Consortium (AERC) hosted a dissemination workshop on the
theme “Health, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in
Africa”. The workshop was chaired by Hon. Dr. Kojo AppiahKubi, Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma
Constituency and Ranking Member on the Parliamentary
Special Standing Committee on Poverty Reduction, and
provided platform for the dissemination, analysis and
discussion of two research projects on health, conducted
under the auspices of the AERC.
Ghana under the Diagnostic Phase (Phase I) of the CREW
project; give opportunity to the NRG to review research
submissions, make inputs and share perspectives
which would guide the researchers to make necessary
adjustments.
Director and some Senior Members of ISSER with ISD team
17 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Dissemination Workshop
Snapshots of 2013/2014
2013 was truly “very lively and fulfilling…”
Developing our
2014 – 2019
strategic plan
Koforidua, April
25 – 26, 2014
November 27 -28, 2014
Yamoransa Roadshow
UCC Roadshow
Yamoransa Roadshow
UCC Roadshow
Prof. A. Fosu, ISSER
Dr. Ackah, ISSER
Participants at the Launch
A participant
Prof. Ellen B. D. Aryeetey, a gender expert (back view in picture), addressing participants
International
Gender Analysis
Training
Workshop for
social science
researchers
April 7 – 11,
2014. ISSER
Conference
Centre
19 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
18 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
October 2, 2014
Our Collaborators
Publications
Publications continue to stand out as one of the strongest advocacy channels of the Institute. During the
year under review, besides – what can be categorised as – the independent publications of research fellows,
the Institute released two publications – all of which were made possible through support of the Think Tank
Initiative (TTI) of the IDRC.
The two institutional publications are summarised below:
State of the Ghanaian Economy Report 2013
The State of the Ghanaian Economy Report (SGER) 2013, the 23rd edition was
launched on October 2, 2014 at ISSER. In addition to presenting an overview of
global economic performance, world employment trends, and developments in
crude oil and food prices, the report analyses Ghana’s economic performance in
2013 and discusses growth output by the various sectors of the economy. It also
provides a number of recommendations that should be implemented to ensure
better economic outturn in the future, including:
Policies of inclusive growth with the objective of ensuring sustainable economic
growth and human development. These would entail heightened focus on the
equitable participation of all, including women, the youth and persons with
disabilities in the economic growth process. There is also the need to tackle spatial
inequality;
Pursuit of an employment-centered economic growth strategy that will ensure
that employment expands along with production and that the benefits of growth
will be widely shared through better job opportunities and enhanced incomes,
particularly for the growing unemployed youth. Labor productivity must also rise,
commensurately with higher wages, especially for public employees under the
Single Spine Pay Policy;
Engagement in strategic infrastructural (physical, human and institutional)
development as well as the application of science, technology and innovation
to enhance the creation of employment and income earning opportunities for
rapid and sustained poverty reduction. Priority should be accorded physical
infrastructural and human-quality development, rather than the continuing
expansion of public institutions, in order to substantially increase absorption of
the apparent oversupply of graduates from the various tertiary institutions.
SGER 2013 was launched by Prof. John Gyapong, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the
Office of Research Innovation and Development, UG. Overview of the Report was
presented by Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Director of ISSER.
21 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
20 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Ensure sustainability in the exploitation of Ghana’s natural resource endowments,
including agriculture, minerals, as well as oil and gas, supported by strategic
investments in human capital, infrastructure, science, technology and innovation;
List of Publications
for the 2013/2014
Academic Year
Policies and Options for Ghana’s Economic
Development - 3rd Edition
The Policies and Options for Ghana’s Economic Development series provide
incisive analysis of policies and strategies that have been implemented over
the years under review and provide policy options. This issue, the third edition,
covers the period 1997 to 2012. It seeks to identify the challenges facing the
economy and to provide appropriate prescriptions that will improve economic
performance for the future.
As in the previous editions, the authors give in-depth analysis of the policies
indicated under the various plan documents of the period. Each author carefully
analyses the performance of the sector compared to the targets set in plan
documents and announced annual budgets; and makes recommendations to
meet the challenges of the respective sectors.
This edition has ten chapters, unlike previous ones which have eight. Two
chapters have been added to cover the nascent oil sector and address the
employment challenges of the period.
Asante, Felix A. – Associate Professor
Edited Book
Asante F. A., A. Y. Owusu, and C. Ahiadeke. (eds) (2014) “Placing Health at the Center of Development in Africa.”
Accra: Sub-Saharan Publishers. ISBN978-9964-75-096-1
Journal Articles
Parmar, D., Williams, G., Dkhimi, F., Ndiaye, A., Asante, F. A., Arhinful, D. K. and Mladovsky, P. (2014), Enrolment
of older people in social health protection programs in West Africa – Does social exclusion play a part?, Social
Science & Medicine, Volume 119, October 2014, Pages 36-44, ISSN 0277-9536, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.
socscimed.2014.08.011.
Quarmine, W., Haagsma, R., Van Huis, A., Sakyi-Dawson, O., Obeng-Ofori, D. and Asante, F. A. (2014), Did the PriceRelated Reforms in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector Favour farmers? International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability,
Vol. 12, No. 3, 248-262.
Fenny, A. P., Enemark, U., Asante, F.A. and Hansen, K. (2014), Quality of Uncomplicated malaria case Management
in Ghana among Insured and Uninsured Patients, International Journal for equity in Health, Vol. 13, No. 63
Fenny, A. P., Enemark, U., Asante, F.A. and Hansen, K. (2014), Patient Satisfaction with Primary Health Care – A
Comparison between Insured and Non-insured under the National Health Insurance Policy of Ghana, Global
Journal of Health Science, Vol. 6, No.
Baidoo, I., Ramatu M. Al-Hassan, Asuming-Brempong, S., Osei-Akoto, I., and Asante, F. A. (2013). Willingness to
Pay for Improved Water for Farming in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences,
Vol. 3(4): 271-279
Working Paper
Arndt, Channing; Asante, Felix; Thurlow, James (2014): Implications of climate change for Ghana’s economy,
WIDER Working Paper, No. 2014/020
Anaman, K.A. – Professor
Book Chapter
Journal Articles
Anaman, Kwabena A. and Felix Agyei-Sasu (2014). “The Economic Value of the Environmental Capital Inputs
Used to Produce Gross Domestic Product in Ghana, 1993 to 2012”, Research in World Economy, Volume 5
Number 2 (July), pp. 74-92.
Mahama, A. M., Anaman, K. A. and Osei-Akoto, I. (2014), “Factors Influencing Householders’ Access to Improved
23 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
22 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Anaman, K. A. (2013) “Service Development: Policies and Options” in Ewusi, K. (ed). Policies and Options for
Ghanaian Economic Development, Third Edition, ISSER, University of Ghana, Legon, pp. 160-189.
Aidam, P. W. and Anaman, K. A. (2014), “Export Earnings Instability and Investment in Ghana, 1981 to 2011”,
Modern Economy, Volume 5 Number 5, May, pp. 625-634.
Fosu, Augustin - Professor
Journal Articles
“Impact of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis on Development: Whither Africa?” Journal of International
Development, 2013, 25(8): 1085-1104.
“Institutions and African Economies: An Overview,” Journal of African Economies, 2013, 22(4), 22(4): 491-498.
“African Economic Growth: Productivity, Policy Syndromes and the Importance of Institutions,” Journal of
African Economies, 2013, 22(4): 523-551.
Owusu, George - Associate Professor
Edited Book
Owusu, G., Agyei-Mensah, S., Yankson, P.W.K and Attua, E.M (eds.) (2013). Selected Readings in Geography, Accra:
University of Ghana/Woeli Publishing Services.
Book Chapters
Owusu, G. and Asante, F. A. (2014). District Assembly Financing of Local Level Development. In Quartey, P.,
Aryeetey, E. B-D. and Ackah, C. G. (eds.): Domestic Resource Mobilisation for Inclusive Development in Ghana,
Accra: Sub-Saharan Publishers/ISSER, pp. 113-137.
Owusu, G. and Afutu-Kotey, R. L. (2014). Natural Resources and Domestic Resource Mobilization in Ghana: The
Case of the Gold Mining Industry. In Quartey, P., Aryeetey, E. B-D. and Ackah, C. G. (eds.): Domestic Resource
Mobilisation for Inclusive Development in Ghana, Accra: Sub-Saharan Publishers/ISSER, pp. 338-367.
Owusu, G. and Baffoe, H. J. B. (2014). Oil and the Western Region: Implications for Regional and Local Development.
In Aryeetey, E., Osei, R.D. and Quartey, P. (eds.): Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural Transformation, Accra:
Sub-Saharan Publishers/ISSER, pp. 196-224.
Owusu, G. (2014). Housing the Urban Poor in Ghana’s Largest Metropolitan Area, Accra: What is the Role of
the State in the Era of Liberalization and Globalization?, Brun, C., Blaikie, P. and Jones, M. (eds.): Alternative
Development: Unravelling Marginalization, Voicing Change, London: Ashgates Publishing Limited, pp. 73-85.
Working Papers
Awumbila, M., Owusu, G. and Teye, J.K. (2014). Can Rural-Urban Migration Contribute to Poverty Reduction?
Evidence from Ghana. MOP Working Paper 13(April 2014). [migratingoutofpoverty.dfid.gov.uk]
24 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Owusu, G. (2013). Factors shaping Economic Integration and Regional Trade in West Africa, Sohn, R. and Oppong,
A. K. (eds.): Regional Trade and Monetary Integration in West Africa and Europe, WAI-ZEI Paper No. 6 (2013),
Bonn/Praia: Centre for European Integration Studies (ZEI)/West Africa Institute (WAI), pp. 9-31.
Domfe, G., Osei-Akoto, I., Amuakwa-Mensah, F. and Owusu, G. (2013). Labour Market Analysis and Business
Process Outsourcing in Ghana: Poverty Reduction through Information and Digital Employment Initiative,
Research Report No. 2, University of Kwazulu-Natal/ISSER/Rockefeller Foundation.
Quartey, Peter – Associate Professor
Edited Books
Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (eds) (2014), Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive Development,
Sub-saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7
Aryeetey E., Osei R.D and Quartey, P (eds) (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural Transformation,
Sub-saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-092-3
Twerefou D., Quartey P., Boakye-Yiadom L., and Baah-Boateng W (eds) (2014), Readings in Key Economic Issues
in Ghana, University of Ghana Readers, Digibooks Publishers, ISBN: 978-9988-1-9154-2
Book
Lievens, T., Sieneels, P., Garbarino S., and Quartey P (2013), Creating Incentives to Work: Results of a Qualitative
Health Worker Study, World Bank, Washington D.C
Book Chapters
Quartey P., and Afful-Mensah G (2014), Foreign Aid to Africa: Flows, Patterns and Impact, in Monga C and Lin
J (eds), Oxford Handbook of Africa and Economics, Volume 2: Policies and Practices, Oxford University Press,
Oxford, UK
Quartey P, and Prah F., (2014) Trends in Domestic Savings in Ghana, in Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C.,
(eds) (2014), Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive Development, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana.
ISBN: ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7
Quartey P., and Asmah E (2014), Oil and Ghana: Monetary Management with Capital inflows, in Quartey P,
Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (eds) (2014), Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive Development, SubSaharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7
Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (2014), Oil and Structural Transformation in Ghana, in Aryeetey E., Osei
R.D and Quartey, P (eds) (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural Transformation, Sub-Saharan
Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-092-3
Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom: Summary of Key Findings and
Policy Lessons, in Aryeetey E., Osei R.D and Quartey, P (eds) (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural
Transformation, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-092-3
Osei R.D., and Quartey, P., (2014), Economic Growth, Poverty and Structural Transformation in Ghana, in
Twerefou D., Quartey P., Boakye-Yiadom L., and Baah-Boateng W (eds) (2014), Readings in Key Economic Issues
in Ghana, University of Ghana Readers, Digibooks Publishers, ISBN: 978-9988-1-9154-2
Twerefou D., Quartey P., Boakye-Yiadom L., and Baah-Boateng (2014), Introductory Chapter on Key Economic
Issues in Ghana, in Twerefou D., Quartey P., Boakye-Yiadom L., and Baah-Boateng W (eds), Readings in Key
Economic Issues in Ghana, University of Ghana Readers, Digibooks Publishers, ISBN: 978-9988-1-9154-2
Journal Articles
Quartey P and Afful-Mensah G (2014), Financial and Monetary Policies in Ghana: A Review of Recent Trends,
Review of Development Finance, 08/2014; DOI: 10.1016/j.rdf.2014.07.001
Gadah M., Munro A and Quartey P (2014), The Rich or the Poor: Who Gains from Public Education Spending in
Ghana? International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 42(2)
Bulley C and Quartey P (2014), International Migration Diversification: A New Perspectives to Migration
Management, International Business Research, Vol. 7 (5), pp. 21-31
25 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Water in Low-Income Urban Areas of Accra, Ghana”, Journal of Water and Health, Volume 12 Number 2, pp.
318-331.
Tsikata, Dodzi – Associate Professor
Journal Articles
Cheryl Doss, Gale Summerfield & Dzodzi Tsikata (2014) Land, Gender, and Food Security, Feminist Economics,
20:1, 1-23
Dzodzi Tsikata and Joseph Yaro: (2014) When a Good Business Model is not Enough: Land Transactions and
Gendered Livelihood Prospects in Rural Ghana, Feminist Economics, 20:1, 202-226.
Working Paper
2014- Ian Scoones, Rebecca Smalley, Ruth Hall and Dzodzi Tsikata, 2014 Narratives of Scarcity: Understanding
the ‘Global Resource Grab’, Working Paper 076, PLAAS/FAC, http://dspace.africaportal.org/jspui/
bitstream/123456789/34413/1/FAC_Working_Paper_076.pdf?1
Special Reports
Dzodzi Tsikata and Akosua Darkwah (2013). Work, Employment and Social Development, Ghana Social
Development Outlook. Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).
Dzodzi Tsikata (2013). Overview, Ghana Social Development Outlook. Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and
Economic Research (ISSER).
Crawford, G. and Anyidoho, N.A. (2013). Ghana: Struggles for rights in a democratising context. In B. A.
Andreassen and G. Crawford (eds.), Human rights, power and civic action: Comparative analyses of struggles
for rights in developing societies. London: Routledge.
Manuh, T., Anyidoho, N. A. and Phobee-Hayford, F. (2013). “Just a femocrat doing my job”: Working within the
state to advance women’s empowerment in Ghana. In Rosalind Eyben and Laura Turquet (Eds.), Feminists in
development organizations: Changes from the margins. Warwickshire, UK: Practical Action Publishing
Journal articles
Aberese, M., Anyidoho, N.A. & Crawford, G. (2013). NGOs, rights-based approaches and the potential for
progressive development in local contexts: constraints and challenges in northern Ghana. Journal of Human
Rights Practice. 5(1), 46-74.
Anyidoho, N.A. and Crawford, G. (2014) Leveraging global links for local advocacy: WACAM’s challenge to the
power of transnational mining corporations. Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 35(4), 483-502.
Working papers/Monographs
Anyidoho, N. A. (2013). Informal Economy Monitoring Study: Street Vendors in Accra, Ghana. Manchester, UK:
WIEGO.
Sumberg, J., Anyidoho, N. A. Chasukwa, M., Chinsinga, B., Leavy, J., Tadele, G., Whitfield, S. and Yaro, J. (2014).
Young people, agriculture and employment in rural Africa. WIDER Working Paper 2014/080. Available online at
http://www.wider.unu.edu/publications/working-papers/2014/en_GB/wp2014-080/
Ackah Charles – Senior Research Fellow
Edited Book
Owusu, Adobea Yaa - Senior Research Fellow
Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (eds) (2014), Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive Development,
Sub-saharan Africa Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7
Edited Book
Book Chapters
Asante F. A., Owusu A. Y, and C. Ahiadeke. (eds) (2014) “Placing Health at the Center of Development in Africa.”
Accra: Sub-Saharan Publishers. ISBN978-9964-75-096-1
Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (2014), Oil and Structural Transformation in Ghana in Aryeetey E., Osei
R.D and Quartey, P (eds) (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural Transformation, Sub-Saharan
Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-092-3
Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom: Summary of Key Findings and
Policy Lessons, in Aryeetey E., Osei R.D and Quartey, P (eds) (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural
Transformation, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-092-3
Quartey P, and Prah F., (2014) Trends in Domestic Savings in Ghana, in Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C.,
(eds) (2014), Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive Development, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana.
ISBN: ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7
26 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Anyidoho, Nana Akua - Senior Research Fellow
Book chapters
Anyidoho, N. A., Dzorgbo, D-B. S., and Prah, M. (2013). Social Relations. Ghana Social Development Outlook.
Legon: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).
Anyidoho, N. A., Kpessa, M. W. and Asante, E. (2013). Education. Ghana Social Development Outlook. Legon:
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).
Journal Article
Tenkorang, E. Y., Owusu, A. Y., Yeboah, E. H. and Bannerman, R. (2013). Factors influencing domestic and marital
violence against women in Ghana. Journal of Family Violence, 28(8), DOI 10.1007/s10896-013-9543-8.
Osei, Robert Darko - Senior Research Fellow
Edited Book
Aryeetey E., Osei R.D and Quartey, P. (eds) (2014), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural Transformation,
Sub-Saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-092-3
Book Chapters
R. D. Osei and G. Domfe (2014), ‘Macroeconomic Implications of Oil Booms: Lessons for Ghana. In E. Aryeetey, R.
Osei & P. Quartey (editors), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural Transformation, Sub-Saharan Publishers,
Accra, Ghana. ISBN: 978-9964-75-092-3
E. Aryeetey, R. D. Osei and P. Quartey (2014), ‘Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom: Summary of Key Findings and Policy
Lessons’. In E. Aryeetey, R. Osei & P. Quartey (editors), Managing Ghana’s Oil Boom for Structural Transformation,
Sub-Saharan Publishers
Osei-Akoto, I., R. D. Osei and E. Aryeetey (2014), ‘The Incidence Of Indirect Taxes In Ghana: Is There A Gender
Bias?’, In Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (eds) (2014), Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive
Development, Sub-Sahara Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7
27 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (2014) Introduction: Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive
Development, in Quartey P, Aryeetey E.B., and Ackah, C., (eds) (2014), Domestic Resource Mobilization for
Inclusive Development, Sub-Saharan Publishers, Accra, Ghana. ISBN: ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7
R. D. Osei & Quartey, P. (2013). Economic Growth, Poverty and Structural Transformation in Ghana, in Twerefou,
D.K., Boakye-Yiadom, L., Baah-Boateng, W., and Quartey, P (editors), Readings on Key Economic Issues in Ghana.
Digibooks Ghana Limited, Accra
Journal Articles
Mochiah, E. E., R. D. Osei and I. Osei-Akoto (2014). Deciding to Urban-migrate and Agricultural Development:
Evidence from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCC)-Millennium Development Authority (MiDA)
intervention zones, Ghana, Modern Economy, 5, 1187-1207. doi: 10.4236/me.2014.513111.
Karlan, D., R. D. Osei, Isaac Osei-Akoto, and Christopher Udry (2014). Agricultural Decisions after Relaxing Credit
and Risk Constraints. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 129-2.
Domfe, G., R. D Osei and C. Ackah (2013). Economic Exclusion and Working Poverty: The Case of the Informal
Sector Workers in the MiDA Intervention Zone in Ghana. Oguaa Journal of Social Sciences, Vol 7, No 1.
Discussion Papers, Working Papers and Impact Evaluation
Reports
Eric Ekobor-Ackah Mochiah, Robert Darko Osei, and Isaac Osei-Akoto, (2014) “The Impact of Conditional
Cash Transfer Programmes on Household Work Decisions in Ghana”, WIDER Working Paper 2014/116, World
Institute for Development Economics Research.
Isaac Osei-Akoto, Simon Bawakyillenuo, George Owusu, Emmanuel Larbi Offei, Charles Yaw Okyere, and
Innocent Komla Agbelie, (2014), “Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW) of Ghana Social Opportunities Project
(GSOP) - Short Term Impact Evaluation”, Institute for Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of
Ghana.
Robert Darko Osei, Isaac Osei-Akoto, Thomas Ansre, Eric Mochiah, and Richard Frempong, (2014), “A Survey of
the Bread Basket Region in Ghana”, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
R. D. Osei, Osei Akoto, I., Agyei Holmes, A., & Ayerakwa, H. M. (2013). Do Farmers Respond to Training? ― The Case
of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Ghana Programme. Journal of Food Science and Engineering, 3
(2013) 388-393.
Robert Darko Osei, Isaac Osei-Akoto, Thomas Ansre, Eric Mochiah, Yago Namaro and Richard Frempong, (2014),
“A Survey of the Bread Basket Region in Burkina Faso”, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Domfe, G., R. D. Osei & C. Ackah (2013). Determinants of Types of Underemployment in the MiDA Intervention
Zones of Ghana. Journal of Developing Country Studies, Vol 3, No 12, p.33-47
George Domfe, Isaac Osei-Akoto, Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah and George Owusu, (2013), “Labour Market
Analysis and Business Process Outsourcing in Ghana: Poverty Reduction through Information and Digital
Employment Initiative”, Research Report No. 2, University of Kwazulu-Natal.
Peer Reviewed Technical Publications – Working Paper Series
Mochiah E., R. D. Osei and I. Osei-Akoto (2014), ‘Impact of Conditional Cash Transfer on Household Work
Decisions in Ghana’ UNU-WIDER Working Paper WP 2014/116, Helsinki, Finland
R. D. Osei, F. Asem and G. Domfe (2013), ‘The political economy dimensions of macroeconomic management
of aid in Ghana’, UNU-WIDER Working Paper WP 2013/106, Helsinki, Finland
Osei-Akoto, Isaac - Senior Research Fellow
Book Chapters
Osei-Akoto, I. and Adamba, C., “Pseudo-Tax-Based Insurance for Health Care Financing and Iatrogenic Poverty
in Ghana” (2014), in Domestic Resource Mobilisation for Inclusive Development in Ghana, eds. Quartey, P.,
Aryeetey, B-D., E., and Ackah, C., Sub-Saharan Publishers. ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7.
Osei-Akoto, I. Robert Darko Osei and Ernest Aryeetey, “The Incidence of Indirect Taxes in Ghana: Is there a
Gender Bias?” (2014), in Domestic Resource Mobilisation for Inclusive Development in Ghana, eds. Quartey, P.,
Aryeetey, B-D., E., and Akar, C., Sub-Saharan Publishers. ISBN: 978-9964-75-094-7.
28 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Osei, R. D., Osei-Akoto, I., Agyei-Holmes, A., and Ayerakwa, H. M., (2013), “Do Farmers Respond to Training? ―
The Case of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)-Ghana Programme”, Journal of Food Science and
Engineering, Vol. 3(13): 592-agri608.
Sudhanshu Handa, Michael Park, Robert Osei Darko, Isaac Osei-Akoto, Benjamin Davis and Silvio Diadone,
(2013), “Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Program - Impact Evaluation”, Carolina Population Center,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
Simon Bawakyillenuo, Isaac Osei-Akoto, Clement Ahiadeke, Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, and Edem Kweku Agbe,
(2013), “Tertiary Education and Industrial Development in Ghana”, IGC Working Paper, International Growth
Centre, London.
Aidam, Patricia Woedem - Research Fellow
Book Chapter
Dzanku, F. M. and Aidam, P. (2013). Agricultural sector development: Policies and options. In: Ewusi, K. (Ed.)
Policies and options for Ghana’s economic development Third Edition, pp. 100-138. Accra, Ghana, ISSER
publication
Journal Article
Journal Articles
Aidam, P. W. and Anaman, K. A. (2014), “Export Earnings Instability and Investment in Ghana, 1981 to 2011”,
Modern Economy, Volume 5 Number 5, May, pp. 625-634.
Mochiah, E.E.-A., Osei, R.D. and Osei-Akoto, I. (2014), “Deciding to Urban-Migrate and Agricultural Development:
Evidence from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCC)-Millennium Development Authority (MiDA)
Intervention Zones, Ghana”. Modern Economy, 5, 1187-1207. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/me.2014.513111.
Asante, Elizabeth – Research Fellow
Clement Adamba, Isaac Osei-Akoto, Adobea Yaa Owusu, and Clement Ahiadeke (2014), “Determinants of
Maternal Mortality in Ghana: A Focus on Neighbourhood Characteristics and Socio-Demographic Status”,
Ghana Social Science Journal, 11(2): 1-31.
Mahama, A.M., Anaman, K. A. and Osei-Akoto, I. (2014), “Factors influencing householders’ access to improved
water in low-income urban areas of Accra, Ghana”, Journal of Water and Health, 12(2): 318-331; doi: 10.2166/
wh.2014.149.
Book Chapter
Anyidoho, N. A., Kpessa, M. W. and Asante, E. (2013). Education. Ghana Social Development Outlook. Legon:
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).
29 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
R. D. Osei (2013) “Fiscal Development: Policies and Options” in Ewusi, K. (ed). Policies and Options for Ghanaian
Economic Development, Third Edition, ISSER, University of Ghana, Legon, pp. 25-44.
STAFF LIST
2013/ 2014
Bawakyillenuo, Simon - Research Fellow
Journal Articles
Bawakyillenuo, S. Yaro J. A. Teye, J. 2014. Exploring the autonomous adaptation strategies to climate change and
climate variability in selected villages in the rural Northern Savannah Zone of Ghana. Local Environment: The
International Journal of Justice and Sustainability.
Yaro J. A. Teye, J. Bawakyillenuo, S. 2014. ‘Local institutions and adaptive capacity to climate change/variability
in the northern savannah of Ghana’. Climate and Development Journal.
Senior Members
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante
Associate Professor/ Director
Dzanku, Fred - Research Fellow
Prof. Kwabena Anaman
Professor
Book Chapter
Prof. Augustine Fosu
Professor
Dzanku, F. M. and Aidam, P. (2013). Agricultural sector development: Policies and options. In: Ewusi, K. (Ed.)
Policies and options for Ghana’s economic development Third Edition, pp. 100-138. Accra, Ghana, ISSER
publication
Prof. George Owusu
Associate Professor
Prof. Peter Quartey
Associate Professor
Prof. William Steel
-Adjunct Professor
Prof. Dzodzi Tsikata
Associate Professor
Dr. Charles Ackah
Senior Research Fellow
Dr. Nana Akua Anyidoho
Senior Research Fellow
Dr. Adobea Yaa Owusu
Senior Research Fellow/ Head, Social Division
Dr. Robert Darko Osei
Senior Research Fellow, Head, Economics Division
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto
Senior Research Fellow, Head, Statistics & Survey Division
Dr. Ernest Nifa Appiah
Research Fellow
Dr. Elizabeth Asante
Research Fellow
Dr. Patricia Aidam
Research Fellow
Dr. Martha A. Awo
Research Fellow
Dr. Simon Bawakyillenuo
Research Fellow
Dr. Aba Crentsil
Research Fellow
Dr. Fred Dzanku
Research Fellow
Dr. Cynthia A. Tagoe
Research Fellow
Mr. Frank Otchere*
Junior Research Fellow
Mrs. Christy O. Badu
Senior Assistant Registrar/ Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Dorcas Opai-Tetteh
Research Development Officer
Mr. Prosper Amegashie
Chief Library Assistant
Mr Faruku Abdulai
Senior Accounting Assistant
Ms. Beatrice A. Boahene
Principal Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Hellen P. Sunu
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Adelaide Asante
Senior Administrative Assistant
Mr. Johnson Aduah
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Alberta Anku
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Irene Tagbor
Administrative Assistant
Mr. Ebenezer Acquah
Senior IT Assistant
Mr. Albert Darkwa
Assistant Transport Officer
*on study leave
31 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
30 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Senior Staff
Mr. Samuel Adjei
Driver Grade 1
Mr. William Nsiah
Assistant Transport Officer
Mr. Alex Birikorang
Driver
Mr. Emmanuel Nutsugah
Driver
Mr. Eric Asare-Otoo
Messenger/Cleaner
Mr. Hayford Asare Sintim
Messenger/Cleaner
Mr. Joseph Kyei
Cleaner
Mr. Mohammed Suleman
Sanitary Labourer
Mr. Peter Akanyidu
Gardener
ORGANOGRAM OF THE INSTITUTE OF STATISTICAL,
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (ISSER)
33 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
32 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Junior Staff
Prof. John Owusu Gyapong
Pro Vice-Chancellor (ORID) (Chairman)
Prof. Charity Akotia
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
Prof. Felix Asante
Director, ISSER
Dr. Robert Osei
Head, Economics Division
Rev. Dr. AdobeaOwusu
Head, Social Division
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto
Head, Statistics & Survey Division
Dr. Regina Adutwum
Director-General, National Dev. Planning Commission
Dr. Philomena Nyarko
Government Statistician
Mr. James Asare-Adjei
Rep. Association of Ghana Industries
Mr. William Mensah
Rep. COCOBOD
Mr. Clement OseiAmoako
Rep. Ghana Chamber of Commerce & Industry
M. Nicholas Neequaye
Rep. Ministry of Agriculture
Dr. G.O. Essegbey
Rep. CSIR- STEPRI
Mr. Ben Ampomah
PROJECT TITLE DONOR/
SPONSOR
PRINICIPAL
INVESTIGATOR
BUDGET
START
DATE
END
DATE
Urban Agriculture
Project
Lund University
Prof. D.B. Sarpong &
Dr. Fred Dzanku
US $ 173,200
August 2013
August
2016
AFRINT(lll) Poverty
Impacts of Straddling:
Rural Income
Diversification in subSaharan Africa
Lund University
Prof. Daniel Sarpong &
Dr. Fred Dzanku
US$ 56,000
January 2012
December.
2013
Agriculture and
Sanitation Nexus
Bill & Melinda
Gates/ ZEF
Prof Felix Asante
€ 43,200
October 2012
April 2015
Executive Secretary, Water Resources Commission
Mrs. Christy Badu
Administrative Secretary
Brooking AGI Project
Brookings
Prof Peter Quartey
2010
July 2014
Mr. Faruku Abdulai (In attendance)
Senior Accounting Assistant, ISSER
US $115,000 a year
(but US$145,000 in
2013)
Economy of Ghana
Network
The African
Capacity Building
Foundation (ACBF
Dr. Robert Darko Osei &
Dr. Patricia Aidam
US $500,000
2012
2015
Evaluation of Maternal
and new born referrals
project
Univ. of North
Carolina & Chapel
Hill
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto
US$441,355
2012
2015
Socially Inclusive Health
Financing in West Africa
and India
EU/LSE
Prof. Felix Asante
€ 334,376
April 2010
December
2014
Fostering
Entrepreneurship and
Sustainable Livelihoods
in Sub-Saharan Africa
Kew- UTC IDRC
Prof. George Owusu
CAD 223,000
December 2011 April 2015
Dr. G. T. M Kwadzo
£35,420
April 2013
March
2014
Management Committee (Membership 9)
Prof. Felix Asante
Director, (Chairman)
Prof. Charity Akotia
Appointed by FSS Board
Rev. Dr. AdobeaOwusu
Head, Social Division
Dr. Robert Osei
Head, Economics Division
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto
Head, Statistics & Survey Division
Prof. Akosua A-Ampofo
Appointed by FSS Board
Dr. B.D.R.T. Annan
Rep. Medical School
Prof. D. S. Sarpong
Rep. CACS Board
Mrs. Christy Badu
Administrative Secretary
Mr. FarukuAbdulai(In attendance)
Senior Accounting Assistant, ISSER
Finance Board (Membership 9)
34 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
LIST OF ON-GOING PROJECTS
2013/ 2014
Prof. Felix Asante
Director, (Chairman)
Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia
Registrar
Mr. R.O. Boapea
Director of Finance
Rev. Dr. AdobeaOwusu
Head, Social Division
Dr. Robert Osei
Head, Economics Division
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto
Head, Statistics and Survey Division
Prof. A.Q.Q. Aboagye
Appointed by UG Finance Committee
Mr. FarukuAbdulai
Senior Accounting Assistant, ISSER
Mrs. Christy Badu
Administrative Secretary
Future Agricultures
Consortium
Gender and Enterprise
Development in Africa:
A Cross-Country
Comparative Study
IDRC
Dr. Charles Ackah
US $730,613
2013
2016
Gendered Social
Contexts of Adolescent
HIV Risks Behaviors:
Family, Peers and
Community Influences
in Ghana Wave 2
George
Washington
University School
of Public Health)
Prof. Clement Ahiadeke,
Dr. Elizabeth Asante
US $ 199,905 per year
2011
2015
Impact Evaluation of the
Labour Intensive Public
Works Component
of the Ghana Social
Opportunities Project
Ministry of Local
Government and
Rural Development
Dr. Simon Bawakyillenuo, US$865,663
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto,
Prof. George Owusu
2011
2015
Innovative Steps Poultry
Project
IDS
Dr. Martha A. Awo
April 2011
March
2015
£50,468
35 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
Advisory Board (Membership 15)
36 ISSER Annual Report 2013/14
ISSER UNIVERSITY OF
BONN
DAAD/ZEF
Director, ISSER
€ 700,000
September
2014
December
2019
ISSER YALE Project
Economic Growth
Centre Univ. of Yale
Dr. Robert Darko Osei &
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto
US $935,100
July 2013
June 2016
Rurban Africa
EU/Department
of Geography
and Resource
Development
Prof George Owusu
Danish Krona
1,240,000
2009
2013
Think Tank Initiative
IDRC
Director, ISSER
CAD 2,592,252
July 2009
September
2014
Climate Change and
Development
UNU-WIDER
Prof Felix Asante
US$ 30,000
September
2012
December
2013
Urban Crime Nexus
IDRC
Prof. George Owusu,
Dr. Martin Ababio,
Dr. Charlotte WrigleyAsante, Rev. Dr. Adobea
Owusu
CAD 497,000
May 2013
2016
Promoting Participatory
& Evidence Based
Agricultural Policy
Processes in Africa
IFPRI
Prof. Felix Asante, Dr.
Michael Johnson, Paul
Dorosh & James Fields
US$59,499.90
2012
2015
Youth and Employment
(YEMP)
DANIDA/Danish
Research Council
Prof. George Owusu
DKR 1,200,000
October 2009
2013
Youth Save Project
New American
Foundation, Save
the Children’s
Federation Inc.,
Center for Social
Devt Washington
Univ. St. Louis
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto &
Dr. Ernest N. Appiah
US$ 745,000
2009
2014
Bread Basket Project
AGRA
Dr. Robert Darko Osei, Dr.
Isaac Osei Akoto
US$450,030
June 2013
June 2014
Measurement Learning
and Evaluation Unit
Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation
Dr. Robert Darko Osei &
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto
US$1,413,628
December 2013 December
2015
Supporting African
Municipalities in
Sustainable Energy
Transitions (SAMSET)
EPSRC/DFID/DECC
Dr. Simon
Bawakyillenuo
Information on
Smallholder Farmers’
Market Power and
Incomes in Mali
AGRA/ Initiative for
Impact Evaluations
(3ie)
Dr. Robert Darko Osei &
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto,
Dr. Fred Dzanku
Does Reinforcing
Agro-dealer Network
Improve Access and Use
of Agriculture Inputs by
Farmers in Niger?
AGRA/ Initiative for
Impact Evaluations
(3ie)
Partnership for Action on
Green Economy (PAGE)
ISSER Social Impact
Governance and
Accountability Project
November
2013
2017
US$456,292
June 2014
December
2016
Dr. Robert Darko Osei &
Dr. Isaac Osei-Akoto,
Dr. Patricia Aidam
US$486,895
June 2014
March
2017
UNEP (and allied
agencies)
Prof. Felix Asante, Dr.
Simon Bawakyillenuo
US$31,320
October 2014
April 2015
USAID/ Social
Impact (IS)
Prof. Peter Quartey, Prof.
George Owusu
US$483,749.
2013
2017
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CONTACT INFORMATION
P. O Box LG 74, Legon, Accra.
Tel: +233 302 501182 | +233 302 512502/3
Fax: +233 302 512504
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Email: isser@ug.edu.gh | info@isser.edu.gh
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