Dr. Charles Brenya Wiafe-Akenteng

Wiafe-Akenten, Charles Brenya is a Ghanaian by birth. He is a Social Psychologist and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon. He holds Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD.) in Psychology. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons.) Degree in Psychology with Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon. He had his postgraduate education at the University of Ghana, with course work taken at the University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA for the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Doctorate respectively. He has since his appointment as a faculty member at the University of Ghana, taught both undergraduate and post-graduate courses and has also supervised undergraduate research projects as well as post-graduate dissertation/thesis. In addition, he has served as an external supervisor and assessor for post-graduate dissertation/thesis in Ghana and abroad.

Dr Wiafe-Akenten is currently a member of the Residence Board, Academic Board and the Security Committee of the University of Ghana. He is the Master of Legon Hall, the Chairman of Legon Hall Council as well as the Chairman of Heads of Halls (HoHs) and the Off-Campus student Accommodation. He is a member of the Ghana Psychological Association (GPA) and a Council Member of the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) with the Headquarters in Seoul, Korea. Dr Wiafe-Akenten attended a number of professional conferences in Ghana, other African countries, Europe, North America (USA and Canada) and Asia.  He is the current Chairman of the Department of Psychology Business Committee and the Patron of the University of Ghana Association of Psychology Students (UNIGAPS) and the University of Ghana branch of Church of Christ.

The number of Boards and Committee (standing and Ad-hoc) Dr Wiafe-Akenten  had previously served on at the University includes the Board of Faculty of Social Studies (now School of Social Sciences), Admissions Board, Examiners Board, Board of Faculty of Science, Counselling and Placement Centre and University of Ghana Committee on HIVAIDS. He was also a member of the Accra City Campus Management and Advisory Board and the Coordinator for Academic Programs for the Faculty of Social Studies at the City Campus. He serves as the Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee of the Department of Psychology held in 2017 and had been the coordinator for undergraduate project work for more than eight years.  

Awards and Fellowships/Scholarship received include that of Leventis, the University of Ghana-University of California (UG-UC) and the University of Ghana-North Carolina State University (UG-NC) Split Program scholarship/award. He was also awarded the Association of African University (AAU) Scholars Fellowship to the University of Cape Town, South Africa, for a cumulative period of six months.

3. Research Areas

My research interest include culture and behaviour, social cognition (beliefs, perceptions, stereotypes, prejudice, stigmatization, discrimination, attitude, etc.), attitudes and behaviour, decision-making, social change religious involvement and youth activism. My current/on-going research are in the area of stigma[tization], football fans, internet use, online betting and religious involvement.

4. Teaching:

The current and regular courses I teach are

• PSYC673        Social Psychology in the Media        
• PSYC661        Nature of Contemporary Social Psychology
• PSYC664        Psychology and the Law/Legal System
• PSYC443        Social Psychology
• PSYC452        Environmental Psychology
• PSYC101        Elements of Psychology
• PSYC102        Psychology for Everyday Living
• UGRC135       Understanding Human Behaviour in the Social Environment

Courses taught previously include

• PSYC201        Introduction to General Psychology
• PSYC202        Theories of Psychology
• PSYC203        Biological Foundations of Behaviour*
• PSYC204        Introduction to Experimental Psychology
• PSYC301        Learning
• PSYC302        Memory
• PSYC303        Statistics for Psychologists
• PSYC304        Methods of Psychological Investigation
• PSYC305        Psychology of Personality
• PSYC306        Abnormal Psychology
• PSYC307        Human Growth Development: Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence
• PSYC308        Human Growth and Development: Adulthood and Ageing
• PSYC401        Social Psychology
• PSYC404        Some Contemporary Issues in Social Psychology
• PSYC406        Comparative Psychology

Scientific Publications

Dey, N. E. Y., Amponsah, B. & Wiafe-Akenten, C. B. (2019). Spirituality and subjective well-being of Ghanaian parents of children with special needs: The mediating role of resilience. Journal of Health Psychology. 1 - 12

Addae, P., Ofori, N. I., Wiafe-Akenten, C. B. & Tweneboah, N. D. (2018). Food insecurity and suicidal tendencies: Comparative study between employed and unemployed graduates in the Greater Accra region, Ghana. Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science. 24(1) 1 - 10

Wiafe-Akenten C. B. (2015/2016). Psycho-social challenges and help-seeking behaviour among undergraduate students of the University of Ghana: The case of counselling and placement centre (CPC) and academic advisers. Ghana International Journal of Mental Health. 15&16; 108 - 133

Wiafe-Akenten, C. B. (2016), Traditional beliefs, attitudes and stigmatization of persons living with albinism in Ghana. International Journal of Psychology, 51 (S1)

Anakwah, N., Wiafe-Akenten, B., Jacob Owusu Sarfo, J., & Parimah, F. (2015).’Judging a book by its cover’: A legal psychological review on target’s physical appearance and legal decisions. European. Journal of Psychological Studies, 5(1), 4 - 8.

Botchway, I., Wiafe-Akenten, C. B. & Atefoe, E. A. (2015). Health consciousness and eating habits among non-medical students in Ghana: A Cross-sectional study. Journal of Advocacy, Research and Education.  2(1), 31 – 35

Nyarko, K., Wiafe-Akenten, C. B. & Abdul-Nasiru, I (2013). Teachers’ Promotion of Creativity in Basic Schools American. Journal of Social and Management Science. 4(2): 63 – 70

Wiafe-Akenten, C. B (2009).  Exposure to violence on television and video games and aggressive behavior among children. Ghana International Journal of Mental Health, 1, 171-184.

Book Chapters

Wiafe-Akenten C. B. (2015). Environmental Psychology. In Mogaji, A. A. (ed). International Handbook of the Discipline of Psychology. 119 – 37. Lagos, CAPSERIA Press, Ltd

Akotia, C. S. Gyasi-Gyamerah, A &Wiafe-Akenten, C. B. (2013). Media Psychology In Akotia, C. S. & Mate-Kole, C. C. (ed). Contemporary Psychology: Reading from Ghana. Social Science Series 3, 195 – 214, Accra, Digibooks Ghana Ltd

6. Conference Proceedings

7. Extension Activities

Contribute regularly to national dialogue on issues in my area of expertise on radio television and online. Offer training and technical support to some State Institutions, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), Private Companies and Faith–based Organizations. Counsel and support young people with make more informed choices/decisions on career and other life-long issues and building socio-emotional resilience.