Sulemana Nurudeen

Sulemana Nurudeen is a PhD Candidate with the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic, University of Ghana. He is a development researcher by training with experience in applied research, impact evaluation, and development policy analysis. His doctoral research focuses on spatial health inequalities and health system performance in Ghana, with particular attention to neonatal mortality.

His PhD thesis, titled “Spatial Analysis of Neonatal Mortality in Ghana: Determinants, Health System Moderation, and Barriers to Newborn Care Access and Utilization,” investigates the spatial distribution of neonatal mortality across Ghana and examines how the spatial variation in the socioeconomic, demographic, and health system factors influence newborn survival. His research further explores how health system characteristics moderate these relationships and identifies structural and behavioral barriers that affect access to and utilization of essential newborn care services. By applying spatial and quantitative analytical approaches, the study aims to generate evidence that can inform targeted policy interventions and strengthen maternal and newborn health systems.

His academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of Global Health and Development, Development Economics, Labour Migration, Child Labour, Climate and Health, Just Energy Transition Localization and Sustainable Livelihoods

Professionally, Nurudeen has extensive experience consulting with international development organizations and research institutions, including International Labour Organization (ILO), UNDP Ghana, Trade Union Congress, GIZ Ghana, Trades Union Congress-Ghana, World Bank, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and Plan International Ghana.

His work has involved leading and supporting large-scale surveys, impact evaluations, and policy research projects addressing issues such as health systems performance, labor migration, health financing, social protection, youth development, SMEs and Economic Transformation.

Nurudeen holds a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Entrepreneurship Development from the University for Development Studies.

Publications

Karbo, R. T., Frewer, L. J., Areal, F., Jones, G., & Sulemana, N. (2024). A systematic review of the efficacy of theories used to understand farmers’ technology adoption behavior in lower-to-middle-income countries. Development Studies Research, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21665095.2023.2294696

Azure, F. N., Bhebe, M., Sulemana, N., Okova, D., Edusei, A. K., & Lukwa, A. T. (2026). Governance gaps and system-feasible reforms at the sub-district level: Evidence from two sub- districts in Ghana’s primary health care system. SSM - Health Systems, 100202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmhs.2026.100202