About

Professor Inusah Salifu is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Department of Adult Education and Human Resource Studies, University of Ghana. His area of specialisation is Educational Administration, Management and Leadership. Inusah has a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in Special Education and English from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. He also holds a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree in Educational Administration from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and an earned Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in the same area of specialisation from Monash University, Australia.

Before his appointment at the University of Ghana, Inusah was an adjunct lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, where he taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervised thesis and project works. Until 2011, he worked in different capacities in the Ghana Education Service, including as the District Education Officer in charge of planning, English
Language and Literature in English teacher, and an external examiner in English for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Inusah has in-depth experience conducting pure qualitative studies and exploratory mixed methods research. He is a proud recipient of many awards and grants, including the BANGA-Africa Project, Erasmus and GETFUND scholarships, and the University of Ghana College of Education Seed Grant. He has participated in several international conferences and has published extensively in his areas of research interests. Inusah supervises project works, dissertations and theses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Education

Monash University, Australia (2014; PhD Educational Administration
University of Cape Coast, Ghana (2008; M.Phil. Educational Administration
University of Education, Winneba (2002; B.Ed. Special Education and English
Gbewaah College of Education (1993; Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ 3-Year Post-Secondary
 

Research Interest

Educational Administration, Management, and Leadership at both pre-tertiary and tertiary levels, focusing on:
o teachers and teaching
o learners and learning
o educational policy
o leadership in adult education
o leadership in higher education
o leadership in special needs education
o leadership in teacher education

Publications

Published Research Works in Refereed Journals
Salifu, I. & Adam, M. R. (2025). Evaluating learner feedback as a leadership tool for school improvement in Ghana. Journal of School Administration Research and Development,
Salifu, I. & Odame, E. D. (2025). Making teaching a career choice: A study of the ‘pull factors’ among pre-service teachers in Ghana. Journal of Education for Teaching, 51(4), 1-20,10.1080/02607476.2025.2537908
Salifu, I. (2025) Quality issues in free secondary education policy implementation: Case study insights from a community in northern Ghana. Cambridge Journal of Education. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764X.2025.2503496
Salifu, I. & Abonyi, U. K. (2025) Supporting whole school initiatives in the Ghanaian education system: Are school heads making any impact? Journal of Research on Leadership Education. DOI: 10.1177/19427751251341290
Eshun, S. N., Manu, A. A. O., Ocloo, P. E. D. & Salifu, I. (2025). Unpacking the challenges of implementing proctored online 
examination in higher education: A case of a Ghanaian university. The International Journal of Assessment and Evaluation
Eshun, S. N. & Salifu, I. (2025). Challenges of campus security guards in Ghanaian higher education: A case of a university’s satellite learning centres. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2025.2469941
Agyekum, B., Salifu, I., Eshun, S. N. & Asamoah, M. (2025). Exploring the implications of using Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) as a pathway for school-community development. Journal of Professional Capital & Community.                     https://doi.org/10.1108/JPCC-06-2024-0092
Amponsah, K. D, Adjei-Boateng, E., Awoniyi, F.C., Commey-Mintah, P., Adasi, G.S., Yeboah, R., Aheto, S. P. K. & Salifu, I. (2024).   Examining the influence of key demographic variables of pre-service teachers in a university in Ghana on their emotional 
intelligence. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching. 13(5), 22-35. https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v13n5p22
Iddris, F, Salifu, I. & Kparl, E. M. (2024). Leveraging learner innovative behaviour through innovation education: The mediating role of entrepreneurial alertness and the moderating effect of university support. Innovations in Education and Teaching      
International, DOI:10.1080/14703297.2024.2383831
Ansaah, E., Abonyi, U. K. & Salifu, I. (2024): Headteachers’ instructional leadership practices: A comparison of public and private       
basic schools in two selected districts in Ghana, Leadership and Policy in Schools, DOI: 10.1080/15700763.2024.2381740
Salifu, I. & Kala, M. (2024). Improving pupil performance in rural Ghana basic schools: Principals' leadership challenges. 
International Journal of Educational Development, 108, 1-10, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103061
Salifu, I., Agyekum, B. & Nketia, D. (2024). Teacher professional development (TPD) in Ghana: Constraints and solutions. Professional Development in Education, 1-18. DOI:10.1080/19415257.2024.2351947
Amponsah, K. D., Salifu, I., Yeboah, R., Commey-Mintah, P. (2024). Emotional intelligence and academic performance: How does the relationship work among pre-service teachers in Ghana? Cogent Education, 11(1), 1-14. DOI:10.1080/2331186X.2024.2305557
Salifu, I., Chirani, F., Amoah, S. K. & Odame, E.D. (2023). Training teachers by the distance mode: Implications for quality teacher p
performance in pre-tertiary schools. Sage Open, 13(4), 1-11. 10.1177/21582440231219081
Abonyi, U. K. & Salifu, I. (2023). Assessing the implementation of school discipline policy in Ghanaian basic schools. Research in 
Educational Administration and Leadership, 8(3), 636-674. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1246045
Salifu, I. & Biney, I. K. (2023). The role of motivational teaching techniques in adult distance learning programmes. International       Review of Education - Journal of Lifelong Learning, 69(4), 437-446. DOI:10.1007/s11159-023-09997-7
Salifu, I. (2023). Leading, but are there followers? Exploring the influence of heads of departments on staff and students in   Ghanaian higher education institutions. Educational Research for Policy and Practice, 1-18. DOI: 10.1007/s10671-023-09345-4
Biney, I. K. & Salifu, I. (2023). Opportunities for adult learners in Ghana's higher education institutions: Limiting factors and strategies, 72 (2), 157-171. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/07377363.2023.2178664
Salifu, I. & Odame, E. D. (2023). Examining demographic variables as predictors of selfefficacy among university teachers in Ghana. 
Issues in Educational Research, 33(1), 352- 368. http://www.iier.org.au/iier33/salifu.pdf
Salifu, I. (2023). After retirement what next? A survey of post-retirement resolutions of retiring university teachers in Ghana. 
Educational Gerontology, 49(4), 287-299. DOI: 10.1080/03601277.2022.2109356
Salifu, I. & Abonyi, U. K. (2022). Managing large classes in virtual teaching: Experiences of university teachers in Ghana during 
COVID-19. Educational Technology Research and Development, 1-16. 10.1007/s11423-022-10151-7
Salifu, I. & Odame, E. D. (2022). Destructive leadership behaviors among heads of departments in higher education: Perceptions of 
subordinates in Ghana. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 1-16. DOI: 10.1080/13603124.2022.2087005
Salifu, I. (2022). State-funded secondary education: Implications for private school management in Ghana. Leadership and Policy in 
Schools, 21(4), 719-732. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2020.1823997
Salifu, I. & Agbenyega, J. S. (2021) Doctoral students’ learning experiences in Ghana: Exploring a new curriculum using Bourdieu’s 
concepts. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 16, 777-794. https://doi.org/10.28945/4879
Salifu, I., Odame, E. D. & Abubakar, J. U. (2021). University teachers’ decisions on postretirement employment: Do demographic 
variables count? Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 7, 1-10. DOI: 10.1177/23337214211041419
Salifu, I. (2021). Exploring coteaching as a trend in higher education. College Teaching, 69(3), 150-160. DOI: 
10.1080/87567555.2020.1838426
Salifu, I., Mantey, P. K. & Worlanyo, E. K. (2021). Optimising employee efforts: The implications of job design for administrative staff 
performance in higher education. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education. 10(S1), 146-167.
https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jise/article/view/2747
Salifu, I., Boateng, J. K., & Kunduzore, S. S. (2018). Achieving free compulsory universal basic education through school feeding programme: Evidence from a deprived rural community in northern Ghana. Cogent Education, 5(1), 1-15.    
DOI:10.1080/2331186X.2018.1509429
Salifu, I., Alagbela, A. A., & Ofori, C. G. (2018). Factors influencing teaching as a career choice (FIT-Choice) in Ghana. Teaching 
Education, 29(2), 111-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/10476210.2017.1365360
Salifu, I., Worlanyo, E. K. & Kuyini, A. B. (2017). Classroom engagement dynamics: Examining the potency of reflective teaching ap
proach among selected universities in Ghana. Reflective Practice,18(6), 725-736. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2017.1304373
Salifu, I. (2015). Exploring the drivers of teacher professionalism in Ghana. Educational Studies, 41(5), 534-550. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2015.1062081
Salifu, I. (2014). Barriers to teacher motivation for professional practice in the Ghana Education Service. Policy Futures in Education, 
12(5), 718-729. https://doi.org/10.2304%2Fpfie.2014.12.5.718
Salifu, I., & Agbenyega, J. S. (2013b). Viewing teacher motivation in the Ghana Education Service through a postcolonial lens. 
Current Issues in Education, 16(3), 1-14. http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/24349
Salifu, I., & Agbenyega, J. S. (2013a). Teacher motivation and identity formation: Issues affecting professional practice. MIER Journal 
of Educational Studies, Trends and Practices, 3(1), 58-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.52634/mier/2013/v3/i1/1555
Salifu, I., & Agbenyega, J. S. (2012). Impact of discipline issues on school effectiveness:The views of some Ghanaian principals. MIER 
Journal of Educational Studies, Trends and Practices 2(1), 50-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.52634/mier/2012/v2/i1/1584

Chapters in Edited Books
Salifu, I. & Owusu-Acheampong, E. (2021). Improving higher education instructional delivery in the developing world: The role of  university teachers as digital leaders. In M.Mohiuddin (Ed.). Leadership in a Changing World: A Multidimensional Perspective.
(Chapter 11, pp. 1-14). London: IntechOpen. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.100546 http://www.intechopen.com/books/leadership-in-a-changing-world-a-multidimensionalperspective
Salifu, I. (2020). Improving the Management of Distance Education in Ghana through Effective Leadership: A theoretical review of   
the literature. In Y. Oheneba-Sakyi, M.A. Tagoe & I. Salifu (Eds.). Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Studies. (Chapter             13, pp. 200-209). Ghana: Woeli Publishing Services.
Tagoe, M.A. & Salifu, I. (2019). Managing University of Ghana Learning Centres As Service–Delivery Organisations: How Can Kouzes 
and Posner’s (2012) Management Model Explain their Transformation? In A. Arko-Achemfuor, K.P. Quan-Baffour & D. Addae
(Eds.). Adult, Continuing and Lifelong Education and Development in Africa. (Chapter 7,pp. 83-95). New York: Nova Science    
Publishers, Inc.
Salifu, I. (2013). Improving teacher identity and professional practice: Does motivation matter? In J. Madden & R. Smith (Eds.), 
Teacher Education Dialogue: Innovations (Chapter 9, pp. 94-101). Sydney: Primrose Hall Publishing Group.

Published Conference Proceedings
Salifu, I., & Ankomah, Y.A. (2015). Thinking beyond working conditions: A review of factors influencing teacher job satisfaction in 
Ghana. Paper presented at 1st Interdisciplinary Conference of University of Cape Coast, Ghana and Tai Solarin University of 
Education, Nigeria, held at University of Cape Coast from April 26, 2015 to May1, 2015 on the theme Education for global development.

Recently Completed Research
Salifu, I. & Abubakar, J. U. Ghana’s free secondary education policy and the achievement of accessible, equitable, and quality           secondary education.
Salifu, I. Union Leadership and Industrial Harmony in Ghanaian Universities: Strategies, Challenges, and Implications for Labour      
Relations
Salifu, I., Iddris, F, Owusu-Agyeman, Y. & Eshun, N. S. The influence of professional development on quality teaching in pre-tertiary   schools in Ghana.

On-Going Research
Assessing digital maturity among Ghanaian higher education students

Websites & Links
Academia: https://independent.academia.edu/InusahSalifu3
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WId96u4AAAAJ&hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/R-3315-2019
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9626-6211
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Inusah-SalifuR
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55919422600
Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/R-3315-2019