Yonas Alem, representing EfD's Global Hub and responsible for academic capacity building at EfD's Sub-Saharan centers, conducted a two-day visit to EfD Ghana. The visit featured intensive academic exchanges and strategic engagements aimed at strengthening the center’s research capacity and advancing its mission.
EfD Ghana researchers presented their ongoing work during a research seminar, receiving constructive feedback from the visiting scholar and fellow researchers. The session provided a platform for rigorous scientific discussion, with graduate students and mentees gaining exposure to advanced research methodologies and expert insights.
Yonas Alem is a Research Professor of Economics and is responsible for capacity-building training at EfD, based at the University of Cape Town. In addition, he is a researcher at J-PAL. He shared findings from his own research, further enriching the session and fostering collaborative learning. His dual role, as both a Global Hub representative and an active researcher, brought valuable depth to the discussions.
One-on-one consultations address capacity needs
Beyond the seminar, researchers engaged in one-on-one discussions with Yonas Alem to explore specific capacity-building needs and identify potential avenues for research collaboration. They welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with the EfD Global representative, sharing both achievements and challenges facing the center.
These candid exchanges, combined with Yonas Alem's extensive experience across the global EfD network, will be instrumental in advancing EfD Ghana's research agenda, strengthening institutional partnerships, and enhancing the center's overall impact on environmental policy and sustainable resource management in Ghana.
"The visit has provided invaluable opportunities for knowledge exchange and will doubtlessly contribute to strengthening EfD Ghana's research capacity," EfD Ghana Director Wisdom Akpalu said.
Courtesy call welcomes new ISSER Director
During the visit, Yonas Alem paid a courtesy call on Robert Darko Osei, the newly appointed Director of EfD Ghana's host institute, the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana. The meeting brought together key figures, including Wisdom Akpalu, Immediate Past ISSER Director Peter Quartey, and several EfD Ghana researchers.
The engagement offered an opportunity to welcome Robert Osei to his new role and provide him with updates on EfD Ghana's activities, achievements, and strategic direction. The ISSER Director expressed ISSER's continued support for the partnership that began when the institute started co-hosting EfD Ghana in 2019.
"ISSER has hosted EfD Ghana for over five years and remains committed to providing a supportive environment as the center pursues its mission to promote the sustainable management of Ghana's environment and natural resources," Robert Osei noted.
The visit took place from 27 – 28 November and included meetings at ISSER and the University of Ghana's Department of Economics.
By: Vicentia Quartey