EfD Ghana organized a capacity-building workshop aimed at enhancing research skills among graduate students from the University of Ghana. The half-day session provided practical guidance on how to identify relevant and impactful research topics, write effective research proposals, conduct literature reviews, and connect research to real-world challenges.
“We are seeing falling standards in research among students,” said EfD Ghana Director Wisdom Akpalu. “We therefore do not take trainings like this lightly, as it is a way for us to address this challenge."
He urged participants to pursue their academic goals with dedication and discipline.
“To do a PhD, you must be self-motivated to work hard,” Wisdom Akpalu added, encouraging students to view the training as an opportunity to deepen their research knowledge and skills.
The workshop was facilitated by EfD Ghana Director Wisdom Akpalu and researcher Kwami Adanu, with contributions from Francis Atsu.
Breaking down complex concepts
The workshop featured interactive presentations by Wisdom Akpalu and Kwami Adanu, who walked participants through key stages of the research process — from developing research ideas and questions to designing a sound proposal and conducting literature reviews.
The facilitators used real examples and open discussions to simplify complex concepts, making the sessions engaging and highly practical. Participants actively asked questions and shared experiences, enriching the discussions and learning outcomes.
“When facilitators break down the process step by step, it becomes very educative,” noted one participant. “Now we have a clearer idea of how to go about our proposals without making discouraging mistakes. I hope this kind of training continues regularly.”
“Demystifies research”
The participants described the workshop as timely and transformative, noting that such hands-on training is often missing from their academic programs. Many said the session gave them a clearer understanding of what makes good research and how to approach proposals with confidence.
“This was a very insightful session. We rarely get the chance in school to learn the step-by-step process of doing research,” said one participant, adding, “This training has given us useful leverage, and we’re very thankful to the facilitators and EfD Ghana for putting it together.”
Several participants emphasized that opportunities like this help demystify research and make the process more accessible to graduate students.
The workshop was held on October 28, 2025, at ISSER, University of Ghana. It builds on EfD Ghana’s ongoing efforts to promote research excellence among students and early-career researchers through training and mentorship.
By Vicentia Quartey