Teaching Experience
During ten years of teaching at many levels at the University of Ghana – from undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels, I have been constantly learning and gaining experience as to what makes an effective teacher. Prior to my appointment as a Lecturer in May 2010, I had experienced teaching as a student; but also as a teaching assistant at the University of Ghana (Department of Nutrition and Food Science) in 2004, and much later – in Fall 2010; Fall 2013, as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA. These and others, have offered me the opportunity to hone my teaching skills. I, therefore, have demonstrated teaching experience in public health, bioethics, and nutrition.
In my first four semesters as a Lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Public Health, I taught four different courses (Nutrition Surveillance, Diet and Diseases, Nutritional Status Assessments, and Introduction to Family Health). In the fifth semester, I developed one course anew (Public Health Approaches to HIV and AIDS), co-developed a doctoral-level course anew (Nutrition for Public Health Programming), and currently developing others – in Bioethics as part of a masters program we are about to introduce. During my 10 years of teaching, I have been involved in graduate-level curriculum development (Executive Master of Public Health Program, Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, and University-wide competency-based HIV course at the University of Ghana, and currently leading the development of MSc. in Bioethics curriculum). I have provided services to e University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana in the development and evaluation of their Bachelor of Public Health Program. I have also mentored/supervised over 70 graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Ghana, University of South Africa, the Nagasaki University of Japan, and currently from the University of Sheffield, UK.
Teaching Philosophy
Authorities in Education characterize teaching as both a science and an art, and is driven by theoretical learning designs, inquiry, as well as reflection. Some believe that great teachers are born, others believe good teachers are made. I personally believe best teachers display a combination of both – innate teaching ability and hard work over many years of surmounting teaching challenges. My philosophy of teaching is informed by this and others – the material I teach, relevant scholarship, the lessons I have learned from my research, professional interactions, and personal teaching successes and failures. The concepts of active learning and collaboration are central to my philosophy of teaching.
I believe in sharing. My personal conviction that knowledge, unlike bread, does not diminish when shared, shape the nature, selection, and use of my pedagogic material. These materials ought to be open access, or if need be, are accessed and distributed to students within limits of copyright laws. Thus, I put in a lot of effort destabilizing information asymmetry, and knowledge inequities.
As a teacher, the most important lesson I have learned during the past half-decade of teaching has been the realization that teaching, irrespective of setting, field, or level, ought to involve the key stakeholder (students) not as mere recipients of knowledge, but as active participants in decision making. To illustrate, the power of allowing students to communicate their needs when I first taught a second-year undergraduate public health ethics course. My initial idea was to deploy predominantly didactic lectures, a few case studies and vignettes – keeping student presentations to my graduate-level courses. However, questions and comments by the students during the course introduction made it clear that my intended plan was not their preferred option. After a discussion with the class, we introduced student presentations. I was elated to learn toward the end of the semester that this worked well. Student presentations have since become core in my courses irrespective of level. Student presentations not only give students valuable experience in expressing themselves, it adds variety to the class and helps encourage peers to think critically about the material presented.
To challenge and be challenged by my students is another teaching expectation. I encourage and challenge my students to mentor-mentee sharing, peer-peer sharing, peer-peer mentoring, and role reversal exercises. I encourage brainstorming sessions, group work including group presentations. I also expect to be challenged by my students, something I communicate to the class in the early days of the course. I encourage my students to ask questions. My students know I do not have the answers to all of their questions. Whenever I am stuck, I seek their inputs, and after the session I consult relevant resources. I challenge my students to understand that I am open to their thoughts, I am eager to receive their contributions and thrilled to learn with and through them.
Yet, another essential part of my teaching philosophy is that students need to learn not only to assimilate course material but also to communicate and share it effectively. I push my students toward making informed decisions about the merits of arguments that are presented assigned reading material. I provide students with questions to think about while consuming these reading materials so that their reading is motivated and directed. Such questions relate to the main claim in reading material, evidence used to support the claim, whether the evidence that is offered indeed support the claim; why or how; and the implications of the findings.
Finally, I attempt to inspire growth in my students by giving them both disciplinary and interdisciplinary tools to take into other domains of their life. This includes some of Agathon’s “Twelve Virtues of a Good Teacher: Gravity (seriousness), Humility, Patience, Zeal, and Generosity”.
Teaching Interests
I have a broad set of teaching interests. I currently teach courses in Public Health Nutrition, Global Health, and Bioethics – as outlined below.
Programs developed
MSc. in Bioethics (currently being developed)
I am a Co-Principal Investigator and Ghana Lead of an NIH-funded project which aims to build sustainable research ethics and integrity capacity in Ghana and will establish a Bioethics Program, which will establish a masters program (MSc. in Bioethics) at the University of Ghana.
Courses developed and/or taught
Graduate-level courses developed/taught
PFRH 674 – Public Health Approaches to HIV and AIDS (MPH Program)
BIOE 604 Teaching and Writing Methods in Bioethics (MSc. in Bioethics)
BIOE 618 Food and Nutrition Ethics (MSc. in Bioethics)
RITP 103 Development of a Collaborative Research Output (NYU-UG Research Integrity Training Program)
Undergraduate-level courses
GSPH 213 – Introduction to Research Ethics (Bachelor of Public Health Program)
GSPH 302 – Infant and Young Child Feeding (Bachelor of Public Health Program)
GSPH 453 – Diet and Diseases (Bachelor of Public Health Program)
Student supervision and mentoring
I have supervised over 70 graduate and undergraduate theses from the University of Ghana, University of South Africa, the Nagasaki University of Japan, and from the University of Sheffield, UK.
Graduate Supervision
PhD Supervision and Advisory committee
| # | Name of Student | Thesis title | Supervisory Role | Status |
| 1 | Deda Ogum Alangea
|
Determinants of Obesity among Basic School Pupils in the Ga-East Municipality | Co-Supervisor
|
Graduated in 2015 |
| 2 | Elizabeth Bako | Parent Training and parent-adolescent communication on sexuality | Co-Supervisor | Graduated in 2015 |
| 3 | Emefa E. Modey | Contraceptive Discontinuation and Switching among women in Shai-Osudoku and Ningo Prampram districts (Formerly Dangme-West) | Co-Supervisor | Graduated in 2019 |
| 4 | Cecilia Eliason | Quality Of Life And Health Care Needs Of The Aged | Co-Supervisor
|
Graduated in 2019 |
| 5 | Miriam Iddrisu | Early Reproductive Health (RH) choices of women and it’s influence on RH outcomes and practices in the Northern Region | Co-Supervisor | Graduated in 2015 |
| 6 | Victoria S. L. Mumuni | Quality of supervised antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care in district hospitals in the upper East Region of Ghana | Co-Supervisor
|
Since 2013 |
| 7 | Kyeremeh Atuahene
|
HIV and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in two Ghanaian cities | Primary Supervisor
|
Since 2014 |
| 8 | Linda Vanotoo | Predictors of intrapartum fetal deaths in singletons delivered secondary and tertiary facilities in the Greater Accra Region | Co-Supervisor
|
Since 2014 |
| 9 | Demi Lesta | Chronic stress in pregnancy: implications on maternal mental health and pregnancy outcomes in Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana. | Primary Supervisor
|
Since 2015 |
| 10 | Allotey Naa Korkor | A Health Behaviour Model-Based Intervention to Improve Contraceptive Outcomes in the Northern Region of Ghana | Co-Supervisor
|
Since 2015 |
| 11 | Kasim Abdulai | Assessment of Diet Quality and Cardiovascular Risk Factors of People Living With HIV/AIDS | Primary Supervisor | Since 2016 |
| 12 | Zakia Abdul-haq | A Nutrition Tool for the Prevention of Nutrition-Related Non-Communicable Diseases (NR-NCDS) in Ghana | Co-Supervisor
University of Sheffield |
Since 2016 |
| 14 | Geoffrey Adebayo Asalu | Pre-Packaged Food Labelling and Use Among Urban Consumers in Accra | Co-Supervisor
|
Since 2017 |
| 15 | Akuah Tandoh | Examination of how children in Ghana interact with the food environment | Primary Supervisor | Since 2019 |
MA/MPH/MSc Supervision and Advisory Committee
| # | Name of Student | Thesis title | Supervisory Role | Status |
| 1 | Belynda Amankwa | Challenges and experiences associated with implementing the WHO HIV and infant feeding guidelines in Ghana. | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2011 |
| 2 | Okotah Archibald Nii Boye | Sexual and reproductive health knowledge and concerns: a survey of adolescent students in the Ga East District of the Greater Accra region | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2011 |
| 3 | Celestina Asante | Knowledge on emergency contraceptive pills among women seeking pregnancy termination services at the eastern regional hospital, Koforidua.
|
Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2011 |
| 4 | Charlotte Nartey Asiedu | Thesis title: Experiences of HIV-positive women receiving prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2011 |
| 5 | Kwame Kesse Adjei | comparative study of modern contraceptives in private and public health facilities in Ga East Municipality | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2012 |
| 6 | Evelyn Ayerko Appiah | Reproductive health needs of adolescent school dropouts in the Ga East Municipality | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2012 |
| 7 | Dzifa Adzoa Agbodohu | Birth preparedness and complication readiness among expectant mothers at the Ridge Regional Hospital, Accra | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2013 |
| 8 | Matilda Kumi-Mensah | Breastfeeding practices of mothers who attend Ashaiman Polyclinic | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2014 |
| 9 | Samson Korvah Arzoaquoi | Common food taboos and beliefs during pregnancy in Yilo Krobo District | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2013 |
| 10 | Ezekiel Apasera | Utilization of HIV testing and counseling services by men in the Bolgatanga Municipality | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2013 |
| 11 | Araba E. Taylor | Fertility regulatory practices among HIV- positive women receiving care. | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2014 |
| 12 | Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo | Contraceptive knowledge and use among in-school adolescents in the Ga South Municipality of Accra | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2014 |
| 13 | Zenobia Naana Sarfo | Nutritional status and feeding practices of children from selected prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV sites. | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2014 |
| 14 | Appiah Prince Kubi | Assessment of nutritional status of school-age children in the Nkwanta South District – Volta Region of Ghana | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2014 |
| 15 | Susan Ruby Efua Kumadi | Birth preparedness among expectant teenagers in Ledzokuku Krowo Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) | Primary Supervisor
|
Thesis is submitted for assessment in July 2015 |
| 16 | Dun-Dery Elvis Junior | The practice of exclusive breastfeeding among professional working mothers in Wa Central Municipality, Ghana. | Primary Supervisor
|
Thesis is submitted for assessment in July 2015 |
| 17 | Benedicta Kafui Atsu
|
Determinants of overweight with concurrent stunting among Ghanaian children | Primary Supervisor
|
Thesis is submitted for assessment in July 2015 |
| 18 | Adwoa Durowaa Williams (University of South Africa, UNISA) | Factors impacting on feeding practices of infants 0-12 months which lead to malnutrition in a child welfare clinic in Tema New-Town, Ghana | Co-supervisor | Graduated 2014 |
| 19 | Aiko Hatano, Nagasaki University Japan | Long-term adherence to HIV care after delivery among women living with HIV in Ghana’s Eastern Region | Co-supervisor | Graduated 2015 |
| 20 | Matilda Deri | Barriers to and enablers of the use of modern contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Jirapa district of the Upper West Region of Ghana | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2016 |
| 21 | Akorfa Afenyo | Drivers of maternal food choices for children under 5 years | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2016 |
| 22 | Daniel Osei | Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV in Eastern of Ghana: Stakeholders knowledge and implementation challenges | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2016 |
| 23 | Timob G. Likida | Early Infant Feeding Modality and The Nutritional Indicators of Children Aged 06-24 Months in The Mamprugu-Moakduri District of, Northern Region, Ghana | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2017 |
| 24 | Iddrissu Kunamsi | Workplace Support for Exclusive Breastfeeding in Tamale: Perspectives of Employees and Management. | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2017 |
| 25 | Claudia Ewa | The Association Between Health Literacy and Obesity Among Adolescents in Selected Schools in Adentan Municipality | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2017 |
| 26 | Gloria Osei Owusu | Drivers Of Food Choices among Adolescent Girls in Lower Manya Krobo District | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2017 |
| 27 | Deborah Baafi | Challenges associated with implementation of PMTCT Option B+ in the Techiman municipality | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2017 |
| 28 | Kafui Odoom | Quality of infant feeding counselling for HIV-positive women in the Ashiedu-Keteke Sub-metro of Accra | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2017 |
| 29 | Alice Adams | Nutrition literacy and numeracy of healthcare providers in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 30 | Jennifer Larri |
Home Support and Exclusive Breastfeeding: Perspecgives of Household Level Actors |
Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 31 | Ifeyinwa Ernestina Osagie | Uptake Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Screening And Antiretroviral Therapy (Art) By Tuberculosis Clients In Adentan And Tema Greater Accra Region Of Ghana. | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 32 | Raphael Aperko Sackitey | Determinants of condom use among female sex workers | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 33 | Sandra Boakye | Adolescents and adult first time mothers health seeking practices during pregnancy and early motherhood: A mixed methods study in Sunyani Municipality, Ghana | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 34 | John Gbenatey | Factors contributing to the low uptake of ITPp among pregnant women at Kasoa, Central Region, Ghana. | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 35 | Timothy Awentok-Mahama Asam | Utilization of family planning services in the Builisa South District, Ghana | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 36 | Patience Tsrah | Healthiness of foods on promotional flyers of Accra-based supermarkets | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2018 |
| 37 | Irene Kumi | Healthiness of foods and beverages advertised on selected Ghanaian television programmes. | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2019 |
| 38 | Mathew Yosah Konlan | Exploration of the food retail environment in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2019 |
| 39 | Gideon S. Amevinya | Commercial Food Advertising at the University of Ghana, Legon Campus | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2019 |
| 40 | Maxwell Konlan | Nutrition standards and nature of foods sold at the university of Ghana canteens | Primary Supervisor | Graduated 2019 |
| 41 | Priscilla Okomeng | Assessing implementation outcomes of joint TB/HIV treatment programme in the Accra Metropolis: a qualitative study | Primary Supervisor | Since 2019 |
| 42 | Sylvia Orleans-Walker | Missed opportunities to ending
Mother to child transmission of HIV in Ghana: a systematic review
|
Primary Supervisor | Since 2019 |
| 43 | Akosua Pokua Adjei | Assessment of the food retail environment around selected basic schools in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly
|
Primary Supervisor | Since 2019 |
| 44 | Dorcas Manortey
|
Assessment of food retail environment and provisioning outlets in selected basic schools in Ashaiman Municipality | Primary Supervisor | Since 2019 |
BS/BSc/BPH Supervision and Advisory Committee
| # | Name of Student | Thesis title | Supervisory Role | Status |
| 1 | Anna Ofori | Retrospective study of childbirth outcomes in Suntreso Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2012 |
| 2 | Mawutor Adzoa Manyo | Factors that influence the use of essential obstetric care facilities at Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2012 |
| 3 | Haggar Ankomah Obeng | A retrospective study of child birth outcomes at the Tema General Hospital, Tema, Accra Ghana | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2012 |
| 4 | Peggy Keteku | The salt bank model for universal salt iodization in Ghana: a case study of the Nyanyano Salt Bank, Central Region. | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2013 |
| 5 | Mavis Mwinisumbu Borsundeme Fuseini | Monitoring of community iodized salt quality status in the La Dadekotokpon Municipality, Accra | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2013 |
| 6 | Effah Kwaw Ernest | Monitoring of community iodized salt quality status in the Tafo Sub – Metropolis in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2013 |
| 7 | Kaaih Edward | Knowledge of obesity among health workers in the Wa Municipality | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2014 |
| 8 | Ametepe Delight Elorm | Obesity literacy and numeracy among health workers in the Hohoe Municipality, Volta Region. | Primary Supervisor
|
Graduated 2014 |
| 9 | Eva Phyllis Brown | Efforts of health workers in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in Kintampo South District | Primary Supervisor
|
Completed; project June 2015 |
| 10 | Eugenia Amenorpenyo | Efforts of health workers in supporting, promoting and protecting breast feeding in Shama District | Primary Supervisor
|
Completed; June 2015 |
| 12 | Edith Amutty | Perspectives of the various stakeholders on the CHPS initiative in the Anyaa Sub-district of Ga -Central Municipality. | Primary Supervisor | Completed 2016 |
| 13 | Ruth Alan | Knowledge and practice of EBF among nursing mothers in North Tongu district | Primary Supervisor | Completed 2016 |
| 14 | Margaret Akudugu | Contraceptive Knowledge and Use Among Adolescent Girls in Bawku Municipality, Ghana. | Primary Supervisor | Completed 2017 |
| 15 | Ama Serwaa-Bonsu Kusi | Uptake of Antenatal and Supervised Delivery services in an urban setting: Analysis of
routine data from the Madina Polyclinic. |
Primary Supervisor | Completed 2018 |
| 16 | Richard Dery
|
Assessment of the literacy level of healthcare providers on infant and young child feeding in the Jirapa municipality of upper west region, Ghana. | Completed 2019 |