News | ISSER

ISSER co-organises, headlines The Cedi Summit

The Citi Business Festival’s Cedi Summit has lined up three speakers of repute in the world of banking, economics and law.

ISSER launches multi-million-dollar research initiative to deepen digital financial inclusion in LMICs

Prof. Aryeetey (speaking) is joined by ReFinD Management Team members (l-r: Carl Ashie, Prof. Francis Annan, Prof. Quartey [4^th], Dr.

ISSER Short Courses 2022 opens with participants from Ghana and Sierra Leone

Ms. Madleen Madina Frazer, a participant from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance

ISSER to launch new multi-million-dollar research initiative on digital finance

ISSER will on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 launch the Retail Financial Distribution Research (ReFinD) research initiative, a new multi-million dollar project focused on deepening digital financial inclusion

New project to co-create solutions for improving play-based early learning in Ghana and Sierra Leone launched

Mr. Tsegah is joined by Mr. Dzomeku and the project team leads to launch the project

ISSER Roadshow 2022 with UEW draws diverse communities, fosters learning

ISSER presents some recent publications to UEW

ISSER to partner UEW’s Faculty of Social Sciences Education for roadshow 2022

ISSER will take a trip next week to Winneba for the 2022 edition of the ISSER roadshow.

New publications alert

Dr.

Prof. Peter Quartey joins external advisory board of University of Warwick’s Africa Hub for implementing Africa Partnerships Strategy

Prof.

ISSER commissions 10-million Ghana Cedi facility

ISSER has commissioned a 10-million Ghana Cedi multi-purpose building to help meet the Institute’s need for

Addressing the need for greater inclusivity and smallholder transformation in Ghana and Nigeria: ISSER researcher shares evidence from Ghana

To analyse the dynamics of agricultural commercialisation and agrarian change across East, West and Southern Africa, an e-dialogue was convened by the

ISSER gets new multi-purpose building

A view of the ISSER Office Complex and Digital Centre

Researchers and stakeholders discuss how to curb commodity-trade related illicit financial flows to finance the SDGs

Prof. Gilles Carbonnier and Dr. Fred Dzanku take turns to address the media

DAAD annual collaboration workshop 2021 held

A section of participants

ISSER, UESD boost farmers’ adaptive capacities with climate education

Participants got the opportunity to interact with climate researchers. Regina Mensah (left) and Charles Hombey (right) shared their climate experience and adaptation strategies.

Prof. Peter Quartey becomes Finance Chairperson of ReNAPRI

The Board of Directors of the Regional Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ReNAPRI) during their meeting held on 2^nd December 2021 elected Prof. Peter Quartey as Finance Chairperson of ReNAPRI.

Over the next three years, working alongside the ReNAPRI Secretariat, Prof. Quartey will provide financial oversight to the ReNAPRI network of which ISSER has been a member for the past 3 years.

APRA Ghana holds national dissemination workshop

Participants in a group photo at the end of the workshop

The team of researchers of the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) Ghana project invited agricultural sector partners and associated stakeholders to a national dissemination workshop held on 30^th November at Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, Accra.

Review of 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government: ISSER makes bold recommendations

Prof. Quartey grants media interviews.

The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) on Monday, 29^th November, 2021 invited the media for a review of the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of the government.

ISSER hosts 8th Annual ReNAPRI Stakeholders Conference

Rich Ghanaian culture on display at the conference

The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) is known for organising successful and crowd-drawing events. This reputation was taken a notch higher recently with the 8^th annual conference of the Regional Network of Agricultural Research Institutes (ReNAPRI) which was co-organised and hosted by ISSER.

ISSER congratulates Professor Peter Quartey on induction into Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences

Vice President (Arts), Prof. Kofi Opoku Nti, FGA decorates Prof Quartey with the brooche of membership. Photo credit: University of Ghana

ISSER Short Courses 2021 ends

Prof Quartey and course coordinators in a group photo with participants

ISSER Director, Prof Peter Quartey joined participants of the Project Cycle Management Short Course on 29^th October 2021, completion day of this short course, for a brief closing ceremony. The last short course for this year, the closing ceremony for the Project Cycle effectively drew the curtains on the 2021 round of ISSER short courses.

ISSER PhD candidate wins international prize of Best PhD Student Paper

Mrs. Justina Adwoa Onumah, candidate of the 2016 PhD cohort at the Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana has been awarded an international prize of Best PhD Student Paper presented at the 17^th Global network for the Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence building Systems (GLOBELICS) Conference, held in Costa Rica from 3^rd to 5^th November, 2021.

The State of the Ghanaian Economy Report 2020, COVID-19 Impact Reports launched

The State of the Ghanaian Economy Report (SGER) 2020, the 30^th edition, has been launched. The Report was launched at a colourful event held on 2^nd November at the ISSER Conference Facility under the chairmanship of Mr. Kwamina Asomaning, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Ghana.

New publication: “Greening the COVID-19 Recovery in Ghana: Electricity investment needs to meet the GH-NDC targets”

Dr. Simon Bawakyillenuo and Dr Aba Crentsil of ISSER have co-authored a new policy brief: “Greening the COVID-19 Recovery in Ghana: Electricity investment needs to meet the GH-NDC targets”.

ISSER to host 8th Annual ReNAPRI Stakeholders Conference

The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) is set to host the 8^th annual conference of the Regional Network of Agricultural Research Institutes (ReNAPRI) from 17th – 19 November 2021 at the ISSER Conference Facility.

New study brings together evidence on role of multilingual skills on socio-economic outcomes

Participants in a group photo after the workshop

A new study, “Language, livelihoods and well-being in multilingual countries: Evidence from Ghana” has identified language skills and multilingualism as important attributes that have implications for key socio-economic and health outcomes of people in Ghana.

New Publication: “Greening Ghana’s Post-COVID-19 Recovery: Analysing the pre-pandemic policy architecture and critical options”

Dr Simon Bawakyillenuo and Dr Aba Crentsil of ISSER have co-authored a new policy brief: “Greening Ghana’s Post-COVID-19 Recovery: Analysing the pre-pandemic policy architecture and critical options”.

Data Management and Analysis Short Course 2021 draws scores of participants

Participants in a group photo. Joining them is Dr. Michael Kodom (6^th from left) of ISSER, one of the facilitators for Week One

The Data Management and Analysis Short Course 2021 started this week with over 60 participants, underscoring the time-held appreciation – among individuals and organisations – for the ISSER Professional Short Courses Programme.

ISSER welcomes visiting scholar from French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD)

Recently ISSER welcomed as visiting scholar Dr Guillaume Soullier, an Agricultural Economist of the Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), which is the French research centre for agricultural development. While here, Dr Soullier will collaborate with ISSER faculty on research projects as well as support activities that complement the research, training and advocacy mission of ISSER.

ISSER congratulates ADB on inauguration of new board

ISSER congratulates the Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADB) on the inauguration of its new Board of Directors. The nine-member board, including ISSER Director Prof Peter Quartey, was sworn into office with the charge to continue with the bank’s core mandate of agricultural financing.

ISSER engages stakeholders on national development banks

A cross-section of participants

ISSER organised the maiden edition of its development dialogue series on 31 August 2021, bringing together a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the topic: National Development Banks and Sustainable Financing in Ghana. The event was attended by a limited number of in-person participants and was also livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook (ISSERUG).

New Publication: “Africa’s female entrepreneurs – towards funding success”

PEGNet (Poverty Reduction, Equity and Growth Network) has published a new policy brief, “Africa’s female entrepreneurs – towards funding success”, co-authored by Professor Charles Ackah of ISSER.

Greening the socio-economic recovery in Ghana: researchers engage stakeholders in scenarios building workshop

Participants in a split second mask-less and non-communicative group photo

Prof. Peter Quartey re-elected to ADB Board

Prof. Peter Quartey has been re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), for a second term. This was announced at the 34^th annual general meeting (AGM) of the bank held on 14 August, 2021 in Accra.

ISSER budget review draws national media to discuss 2021 Mid-Year Budget Statement

Prof Quartey delivering ISSER’s review of the 2021 mid-year budget statement

The 2021 post budget review by the Economics Division of the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) was held on Tuesday 3^rd August 2021 at the ISSER conference centre. The objective of the forum was to analyse the 2021 mid-year budget statement presented to the Parliament of Ghana by the Finance Minister on 29 July 2021.

ISSER congratulates Dr. Ama Fenny on her appointment to the Commission on African COVID-19 response

The African Union Bureau of Assembly of Heads of State and Government (AU Bureau) announced the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, as the AU Champion on COVID-19 at the 34th Ordinary Session of the AU held on 06 February 2021.

ISSER congratulates Augustin Fosu on nomination to Committee of Experts on Public Administration of UN Economic and Social Council

The UN Secretary General has nominated Augustin K. Fosu, Professor at ISSER, to the Committee of Experts on Public Administration at the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council.

Professor Fosu joins other renowned experts on the 24-member committee for a four-year term beginning on 1 August 2021 and expiring on 31 July 2025, and will serve in his personal capacity.

New ISSER-led Study Uses Mobile Phones to Improve Children’s Nutrition in Northern Ghana

Persistent rural poverty in Northern Ghana also affects families’ nutrition.

Short Courses 2021 takes off

The M&E Short Course and all other short courses are held in the spacious main hall of the ISSER Conference Facility to allow effective physical distancing.

A brief event was held on Monday 31^st May, 2021 to welcome participants of the Executive Leadership Programme in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for Public and Private Sectors, the first of five short courses for the year

MECS-Ghana project engages stakeholders in net-mapping exercise

The Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Ghana project organised a workshop bringing together diverse stakeholders for a net-mapping exercise aimed at garnering views and opinions on cooking energy services, specifically modern energy cooking services, in Ghanaian households.

ISSER engages the media in discussions on the 2021 budget statement

The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) invited the media and other key stakeholders to a review of the 2021 budget statement, which was presented to the Parliament of Ghana on 12^th March 2021. The event was chaired by Dr. John Kofi Mensah, an astute Banker and the Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Limited.

ISSER researchers engage stakeholders to discuss pathways to inclusive oil palm commercialization

ISSER Research Fellows, Dr Fred Dzanku and Dr Kofi Asante engaged farmers, policy makers, oil palm companies and media representatives in a dissemination workshop to share and discuss findings of the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) project. It was held on 17^th March, 2021 at the Takoradi Regional Library, in the Western Region.

Foreign Trade and Sustainable Business Practices – New Evidence from Ghana

Foreign trade and sustainability is high on the political agenda, with increasing efforts to use trade policy more effectively for sustainable development purposes. But scientific evidence on how trading activities impact on firms’ sustainable behaviour is limited.

“Industries without Smokestacks (IWOSS) in Africa - Ghana Country Case Study” – Researchers Share Findings

ACCRA, 20 January, 2021 – A new study by a team of Ghanaian economists in collaboration with the Brookings Institution has identified agro-processing and tourism as two of the sectors that could be relied on to potentially address Ghana’s youth unemployment challenge and enhance competitiveness and productivity of small and medium-sized firms.

2020 ISSER Short Course Programme Ends

Data Management and Analysis (DMA), the second of two short courses organised by ISSER this year ended on 4^th December, 2020. At a brief ceremony to mark the end of the course, the Director of ISSER, Prof. Peter Quartey said he was pleased that the 2020 Short Courses had run successfully in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.

Panel Discussion: Boosting Agricultural Value Chains in the midst of COVID-19 and Political Party Manifestos

Around the world, the COVID-19 crisis is being used by states as an opportunity to reassess sectoral vulnerabilities with the view to transform economies for the better.

2020 ISSER Short Courses Begin

The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) on 9^th November opened the 2020 edition of the Executive Leadership Programme in Monitoring and Evaluation for Public and Private Sectors, the first of two short courses being rolled out this year.

ISSER Director interviewed on COVID-19 impact on Ghana’s manufacturing sector

ISSER Director, Prof Peter Quartey spoke to the Business and Financial Times for an article on the impact of coronavirus on Ghana’s manufacturing sector.

In the article published on 28 September 2020, Prof Quartey said the manufacturing sector was not spared the ravages of the coronavirus; new data showed the sector has experienced its biggest contraction in more than six years.

ISSER congratulates Senior Members on their appointment to high office

ISSER congratulates Professor Felix Ankomah Asante on his appointment as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development at the University of Ghana. Professor Asante has played a very significant role in ISSER’s history. Joining ISSER in 1996 as a research fellow, he rose through the ranks and became the Director from 2013 to 2019.

ISSER researchers present at Ghana Priorities Eminent Panel Conference

On 8 August, Prof Peter Quartey (Director, ISSER) and Prof Robert Darko Osei (Associate Professor, ISSER) gave presentations at the Ghana Priorities Eminent Panel Conference in Accra. The conference is part of the "Ghana Priorities" project, an initiative being spearheaded by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with the Copenhagen Consensus Centre, an award-winning international think tank.

ISSER meets the media to discuss the 2020 Mid-Year Budget Review

On 6 August 2020 ISSER hosted representatives from local media, along with other key publics, to discuss the 2020 Mid-Year Review and share expert perspectives on measures to mitigate the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, sustain the economy and keep fiscal targets on track.

Energy Safety Nets: Ghana Case Study

Vacancy for Prospective National Service Personnel - 2020/2021

The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research is inviting applications from interested students who wish to do their National Service for the year 2020/2021 with the Institute.

COVID-19 and the plight of private school teachers in Ghana

The new corona virus (COVID-19) which scientists believe originated from the Hubei province in China has shaken the entire world and brought the global economy to its knees. It has claimed several lives and Ghana has not been spared though not on the scale recorded in USA, Italy, Spain, UK, South Africa etc. The threat of the virus has affected all three sectors of Ghana’s economy, namely, agriculture, industry and services.

Southern Voice Ghana team organizes dissemination workshop

On Tuesday 24^th September, 2019 Southern Voice Ghana held a dissemination workshop at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER University of Ghana to share and take input on its findings on the study titled: Ensuring access to affordable, sustainable and a clean household energy for all in Ghana – Goal 7 .1 of the SDGs.

2-day workshop session herald 2019 Evidence to Action Conference

Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER, University of Ghana (host), the International Centre for Evaluation and Development, (ICED), and the Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation on Tuesday 9^th and Wednesday 10^th July 2019 organized a pre-conference workshop to usher in the much-anticipated 2^nd Evidence to Action Conference.

ISSER undertakes research into Paperless Port System and Computerization of Tax Collection in Ghana

The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER, University of Ghana has been tasked to track the progress being made in the implementation of computerized tax collection systems by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and how that is impacting on the business environment and tax revenues.

Ghana Social Development Outlook 2018 launched

The Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana has launched the fourth edition of the Ghana Social Development Outlook (GSDO) on 1st of October, 2019 at the ISSER Conference Facility.

ISSER Director Assumes Office

Prof. Peter Quartey has been appointed the Director of ISSER effective August 1, 2019. He holds a PhD in Development Economics from the University of Manchester (UK), MSc in Quantitative Development Economics (University of Warwick, UK), MPhil. Economics (Ghana), and BA Economics (Ghana).

ISSER DONATES BOOKS TO TAKORADI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

The Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana has donated books on various sectors of the economy to the Takoradi Technical University (TTU).

The books, according to the ISSER, were authored by the research fellows of the institute and would assist lecturers and students to make contributions to policy decisions on matters of varied context.

Social impact

ISSER Staff training

The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER University of Ghana organized a 5-day training workshop from Tuesday, 16th July to Tuesday, 23rd July, 2019 for its senior and junior staff. The objective was to strengthen their capacity and increase their work effectiveness and efficiency.

2-day workshop session herald 2019 Evidence to Action Conference

Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER, University of Ghana (host), the International Centre for Evaluation and Development, (ICED), and the Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th July, 2019 organized a pre-conference workshop to usher in the much-anticipated 2nd Evidence to Action Conference.

ISSER undertakes research into Paperless Port System and Computerization of Tax Collection in Ghana

The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER, University of Ghana has been tasked to track progress being made in the implementation of computerized tax collection systems by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and how that is impacting on the business environment and tax revenues.

ISSER and WAC-SRT organize Workshop

The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana and the West African Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation (WAC-SRT) Project on Monday, 17th June, 2019 opened a two-week capacity building workshop at the Kankam Twum Barimah Seminar Room, ISSER.

DAAD Centres of African Excellence team visits ISSER

On 10th June, 2019 a three-member team of evaluators from the German Academic Exchange (DAAD), Centre of African Excellence University of Bonn, visited the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER, University of Ghana, to evaluate the ten year PhD Programme by ISSER. DAAD is a major sponsor of the PhD Programme.

2019 ISSER Courses – second course ends

Research Methodology and Report Writing which is the second in the series of Short Courses run by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana for this year ended on Friday 7th June, 2019. The two weeks’ programme had participants from various organisations. They expressed their delight and appreciation about the content and overall delivery of the programme.

ISSER, Kiel Centre for Globalization hold national dissemination workshop on Trade and Development in Ghana

Maiden Edition of Executive Leadership Programme in Monitoring and Evaluation Short Course ends

The maiden edition of the Executive Leadership Programme in Monitoring and Evaluation, in the 2019 series of short courses run by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, ended on 24th May, 2019. The two-week course was attended by 30 participants from both public and private institutions and companies.

Summary Report on violence against women and girls launched...

A consortium of five led by the National University of Ireland, (NUI) Galway including the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research(ISSER), University of Ghana has launched a summary report of five years of research into violence against women and children. The event took place on Wednesday, 17th April, 2019 at ISSER Conference Facility. Others in the consortium are DFID, ipso MORI and International Centre for Research on Women.

ISSER Director briefs fifteen organisations, leads them on a tour of MLE

Prof. Felix Asante, Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, has made a presentation on the activities of ISSER at a Side Event of the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) board meeting organized at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Tuesday 19th February 2019. The Side Event discussed “Risk modelling and Early Warning through Africa RiskView and Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation in Ghana.”

Prof. Augustine Fosu, Prof. Robert Osei appointed members of Fiscal Council

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated a seven-member Presidential Fiscal Responsibility Advisory Council which includes Prof. Augustin Fosu and Prof. Robert Osei, of the Institute of Social, Statistical and Economic Research, University of Ghana.

Prof Felix Asante calls for reforms in operation of Paperless policy

Prof. Felix Asante, Director of ISSER has observed that though the Paperless Policy of government at the Ports has made some gains there is the need to work hard to tackle challenges confronting the system to pave way for increased revenue generation. He stressed the need for tax agencies to have computerized systems in an attempt to reduce non-compliance to zero.

Dissemination Workshop on Productive Uses of Energy for Women

ISSER MA student wins African Youth SDGs Achiever

Mr. Adjabeng receiving the award from Dr. Jallow second from right. Also in the picture are (from left) Ms. Doreen Appiah-Num, Partnership Coordinator, School Farms, and Ms. Priscilla Acquah–Jackson of School Farms project

Mr. Alfred Godwin Adjabeng, an MA student in Development Studies at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, has won the highest and most prestigious award the of the year at the 2018 African Youth SDGs Summit, held at the Accra International Conference Centre. Mr. Adjabeng received a certificate and a plaque given by Dr. Isatou Jallow of the UN World Food Programme.

ISSER represented at Southern Voice conference in Bangkok

A three-member delegation from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, ISSER, led by Dr. Aba Crentsil, Research Fellow attended Southern Voice Conference which was part of the TTIX2018 Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand from 12th to 16th November, 2018. Other members of the delegation were: Mr. Kwasi Nantwi, Publications Officer and Mr. Evans Otieku.

ISSER hosts V.A.W.G. national stakeholders dissemination event

The WhatWorks to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) project, in collaboration with the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana School of Public Health and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Monday 10th December 2018 held a one-day stakeholders dissemination event for the dissemination of research findings: Economic and Social Costs of Violence Against Women and Girls and Impacts Assessment of COMBATs Violence Prevent

ISSER, MoFA Pledge to Strengthen Collaboration

Based on an MoU signed between ISSER and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoFA) in October 2017, and as part of the Agricultural Policy Support Project (APSP), ISSER was tasked to build the capacity of 20 senior officials of the Policy Planning and Budget Directorate (PPBD) division of MoFA in Policy Briefing. Four out of the twenty were selected to undergo the training in Policy Brief writing. On Wednesday 27th June 2018 the four made presentations.