PhD

Bernice Kanyoke is currently pursuing her PhD in Development Studies at the Institute of Statistical, Social
and Economic Research (ISSER), where her academic work focuses on the intersection of environmental
issues and political economy. Her doctoral dissertation explores how nature-based solutions can be
effectively integrated into governance and planning frameworks to support climate change adaptation.
Alongside her academic journey, Bernice serves as a Regional Director at the Department of Parks and

Francis Arthur (Pln.) is a development practitioner and researcher with over 15 years of experience in inclusive finance, rural livelihoods, and development policy and practice in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Development Studies at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, where his research focuses on financial inclusion, digital financial systems, and their implications for sustainable livelihoods among vulnerable populations, particularly women, youth, and rural communities.

Patrick Appiah is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with over a decade of professional experience in research, program planning, monitoring, evaluation, and data management. He has a strong track record of supporting and improving outcomes on donor-funded projects implemented in collaboration with major international partners, including the World Bank, USAID, Global Challenges Research Fund, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Global Fund. His work has primarily focused on health systems strengthening and social protection interventions.

I am a 4th-year PhD student in Development Studies at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER). I trained as a teacher at OLA Training College and hold a Bachelor's degree in Basic Education from the University of Cape Coast (UCC). I also hold a Master's degree in Educational Administration from UCC and another in Educational Innovation and Technology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Before becoming a full-time student at ISSER, I worked as a teacher and a Circuit Supervisor.

Abdul Badi Sayibu’s educational background includes a Master of Philosophy in Statistics from the University of Ghana and a Master of Development Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). His academic training underpins a technically adept approach to impact evaluation, employing econometric methods, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and advanced statistical modelling using Python, R, and Stata.

Innocent Muhwezi is a Ugandan doctoral researcher at the University of Ghana, affiliated with the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER). He is a DAAD Scholar under theIn-Country/In-Region (ICIN) Scholarship Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa. His research focuses on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), climate governance, and competence-based curriculum reforms across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Esther Maame Efua Aryee is a Research Associate at Nova Business School Africa in Ghana. She earned her Master of Philosophy degree in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology and BA in Psychology with Linguistics with First Class Honors from the University of Ghana. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Development Studies at the ISSER department, University of Ghana. Esther was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Blueprints for a New Economy Fellowship run by Oxfam and Professor Grieve Chelwa between May 2025 and February 2026.

Prossy Nassuna is an educationist and a researcher from Wakiso District in Central Uganda with a strong commitment to advancing inclusive and transformative education. Currently, she is pursing PhD in Development Studies. She holds a Master of Education in Research from Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya. She also earned a Bachelor of Education (Business Studies) and a Diploma in Secondary Education (Business Studies – Double Main) from Kyambogo University in Kampala, Uganda.

I am Stephen Kotochie, a PhD candidate in Development Studies at ISSER, University of Ghana, driven by passion to explore digital financial innovation and its real-world impacts on poverty alleviation.
Stephen currently holds a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in economics, both from the University of Ghana. My master’s thesis explored the link between religiosity, poverty and food security in Ghana. These experiences sparked my interest in digital finance innovation which has emerged as a major tool in the fight against poverty, shaping my decision to pursue doctoral studies.