IAS Launches Ghana Quality Of Life Project

The Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana, Legon has formally launched the “Ghana Quality of Life Project” (GQOL), a research into the general wellbeing of the Ghanaian society. This is the first of such research in Ghana.

Mr. Keli Gadzekpo, Chairman for the launch

The launch which was chaired by Mr. Keli Gadzekpo, the Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Group, attracted participants from a wide range of disciplines.

   

Emeritus Prof. Jacob U. Gordon    Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Director . IAS Occupant , Kwame Nkrumah Chair in

African Studies

 

 

There were remarks from the Director of the IAS, Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo; the current Occupant of the Kwame Nkrumah Chair in African Studies and founder of the Project, Emeritus Prof. Jacob U. Gordon; as well as the Principal Investigator of the project, Dr Kwame Amoah Labi.  The research trajectory, goals, objectives and uniqueness of the project were elaborated by the speakers among other things. Ten research teams covering indicators that impact on the well-being of individuals such as leisure, family and relationships, security, economics, psychological wellbeing, and others were also expounded.

The project engages interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research teams drawn from the Institute of African Studies, the School of Public Health, the Departments of Economics, Finance and Statistical Services. Personnel from the Ministries of Health, Education, Economic Development, Tourism and the Creative Arts will be engaged. The importance of the proposed project is three dimensional: (1) For Ghana National development (2) As a basis to develop an Africa-wide survey and (3) to integrate the studies into the international community. It is intended for scholarly use and to influence public policy. The project aims to publish a peer reviewed biennial report and eventually extend the study to the rest of Africa.

Scholarly undertaking of Quality of Life has for the most part been conducted outside Ghana and Africa. In Europe and North America the studies have been found useful in shaping public policy for national development. This Project is expected to serve similar purposes in Ghana and Africa, thus including the African dimension into the international community. This project is consistent with the University of Ghana’s mission to become a world class University. It is also in accordance with the aspirations of the IAS, to be “a pre-eminent institute for the study of Africa…” through engagement in the regeneration of Africa in “knowledge production, dissemination, application and preservation.”

A member of the audience making a contribution at the launch